Mineralien-Museum Essen-Kupferdreh

About the museum

The impetus came in the early 1980s from a local collector in Kupferdreh who was willing to give up his extensive mineral collection on the condition that it be displayed publicly. The local citizens' association, Bürgerschaft Kupferdreh, took over the collection and found a partner in what was then the Ruhrlandmuseum, which supplemented it with its own geological and mineralogical holdings. The museum was inaugurated in July 1984; management and scientific supervision have since been in the hands of today's Ruhr Museum, while the citizens' association looks after the building on a volunteer basis.

The museum is housed in the former Hinsbeckschule of 1856, the first permanent school building in the district. After the school closed, the building was slated for demolition but was then placed under heritage protection and converted by volunteers for its new use. Until 2007 the museum showed numerous special exhibitions; when the Ruhrlandmuseum moved to the Zollverein site, it was renovated and took in larger parts of the natural history collection.

In September 2018 a completely redesigned permanent exhibition opened, combining geology, biology and mineralogy and addressing topics such as biomineralization. In the spirit of a cabinet of curiosities, seven rooms on three floors span the range from stardust and meteorites through crystals and fossils to raw materials and ringing stones. With its preparation workshop, experiment room and numerous workshops, the museum is especially popular with families.

Highlights

• Large meteorite in front of a wall-sized image of our galaxy's spiral
• Crystal chamber with magnificent mineral specimens
• Hands-on experiment room "Klang der Steine" (Sound of the Stones), where visitors make the stones ring
• Preparation workshop for fossils and finds
• Listed school building from 1856, free admission

Permanent exhibitions

• Schätze aus den Sammlungen – Permanent exhibition in seven rooms, redesigned in 2018, combining mineralogy, geology and biology – from meteorites and crystals to fossils, biominerals, raw materials and the "Klang der Steine" (Sound of the Stones).

Founded

1984

Operated by

Stiftung Ruhr Museum (in Kooperation mit Stadt Essen und Bürgerschaft Kupferdreh e. V.)

Director

Dr. Achim G. Reisdorf

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Free admission to the permanent exhibition; only guided tours, workshops and children's birthday parties are charged.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: no information
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

Exhibition on three floors in a listed school building from 1856; no information on accessibility is available.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Hands-on stations
• Kids’ birthday parties

Free 10-question quiz for families with children aged 6 and up. Tours for children and families from age 6 (1.5 hrs.), workshops for ages 6–10. In the experiment room, you can make stones ring yourself. Children's birthday parties for ages 5–12, such as "Dino Party" or "Stone Party".

Getting there & parking

By car via the A44/A52 to exit Essen-Kupferdreh. Bicycles can be parked in the courtyard behind the museum.

Amenities & dining

The building also houses the Heimatarchiv (local history archive) and the rooms of the Bürgerschaft Kupferdreh.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.

Plan your visit