Museumsanlage Osterholz
Four museums in one park in Osterholz-Scharmbeck: a bird museum, a peat barge museum, a hands-on museum and a local history museum on Findorff.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Museumsanlage Osterholz is located on the former monastery grounds in the Osterholz district and combines four museums in a small park. The Norddeutsches Vogelmuseum (North German Bird Museum) goes back to the private collection of amateur ornithologist Dr. Walther Baumeister (1924–2003). By 1994 it had grown to more than 400 specimens across 800 square meters.
The Torfkahnmuseum (peat barge museum) displays barges and scows from the Teufelsmoor in a barn moved here from Ritterhude, including a cargo scow recovered from a moor canal. The hands-on museum (Mitmachmuseum), housed in a barn built around 1800 that was moved here from Ohlenstedt, is used for seminars and events. The local history museum focuses on the moor commissioner Jürgen Christian Findorff and his work in Osterholz.
The operator is Norddeutsches Vogelmuseum Museumsanlage Osterholz gGmbH, supported by the Freunde und Förderer (friends and supporters) of the museum complex.
Highlights
- Bird museum with around 400 specimens and large dioramas by Erich Böttcher
- Peat barge museum with a recovered cargo scow
- Local history museum on moor commissioner Findorff
- Hands-on activities such as the Milk Farmer's Diploma and the Peat Skipper's Certificate
- Museum park with museum shop
Permanent exhibitions
- Norddeutsches Vogelmuseum – Sammlung Dr. Walther Baumeister – Specimens of northern European birdlife in natural settings and large dioramas across 800 square meters.
- Torfkahnmuseum – Barges and scows of the Teufelsmoor and the life of peat cutters and peat bargemen.
- Heimatmuseum – Findorff in Osterholz – Maps, drawings and documents on the work of moor commissioner Jürgen Christian Findorff in Osterholz.
- Operated by
- Norddeutsches Vogelmuseum Museumsanlage Osterholz gGmbH
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €4 |
|---|---|
| Children & teens | €2.50Children aged 6 to 14 |
| Groups (10+ people) | €3.50 per personGroups of 10 or more people |
| Guided tour of the bird museum (approx. 1.5 hours) | €10reduced €8 |
Further prices for guided tours and events on request.
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
- Family tours & workshops
- Hands-on stations
- Kids’ birthday parties
Children's birthday parties with museum education activities (ages 4–12, max. 15 children, 2–3 hours), Milk Farmer's Diploma (from age 8) and Peat Skipper's Certificate for groups.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Bördestraße · 3-min walk
From Osterholz-Scharmbeck station (RE 8, RE 9, RS 2) it is a 10–15 minute walk, or take the Osterholz regular-interval bus lines 650 and 680 to "Bördestraße". Line 670 goes to the station; lines 650/680 also run to "Kreishaus" and "Findorffstraße".
Navigation address: Bördestraße 42, 27711 Osterholz-Scharmbeck. The site lies on the Osterholz cycle route network between junctions 51 and 49.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Museum shop
Museum shop with books on the museum's main themes; refreshments for booked groups in the hands-on museum (coffee and cake).
Events & venue rental
- Spaces for rent
- Private parties
The hands-on museum, with kitchen and crockery, can be booked for private events; please inquire about availability (temporarily not possible due to the renovation of the Findorffhaus).
Inquiries & detailsPlan your visit
| Guided tours | yes · approx. 1.5 hrs |
|---|---|
| Good to know | Regular public guided tours per the event calendar, such as tours of the bird museum (€10/€8) and tours with the "Moor Commissioner" in historical costume. Group tours can be booked. |
