Museumshof Rahden
Open-air museum with a fully furnished 19th-century farmstead from the old Amt Rahden, horse-driven mill, bakehouse, and flax exhibition.
About the museum
The Museumshof Rahden was created between 1962 and 1966 with the support of the Stadtsparkasse Rahden and the Landschaftsverband Westfalen-Lippe. Except for the barn, all buildings come from various farms in what is now the town area; they were dismantled there, restored, and reassembled here into a farmstead. In 2026 the farm celebrates its 60th anniversary.
At the center is the main building, a Low German hall house from 1689, whose Kammerfach (chamber section) was added a hundred years later. On the Deele (threshing floor), it is shown how grain was processed from the flail to the early threshing machine. The oldest building is the bakehouse from 1560, whose stone oven is used for baking on event days. In addition there are a granary with tools of itinerant shoemakers and tailors, a still-functioning horse-driven mill from around 1860, and the Lütke Hus, a former tenant farmer's house from 1787 that opened in 1988.
The entire furnishing consists of original pieces from the old Amt Rahden. A particular focus is on flax processing and linen production, which was an important home industry here until the 20th century, as well as on the Rahden traditional costume. A farm garden, small field, bee house, and orchard meadow complete the grounds. The museum is run by the town of Rahden and a team of more than 30 volunteers.
Highlights
- Low German hall house from 1689 with threshing floor and threshing tools
- Bakehouse from 1560 with a historic stone baking oven
- Functioning horse-driven mill (around 1860)
- Lütke Hus with exhibitions on flax, linen, and Rahden traditional costume
- Farm garden, bee house, and small field with old crop varieties
Permanent exhibitions
- Bauernhof des 19. Jahrhunderts – The hall house, bakehouse, granary, and horse-driven mill with original furnishings show living and working on a farm in the old Amt Rahden.
- Flachs, Leinen und Rahdener Tracht – The Lütke Hus displays tools for flax processing and linen production as well as farmers' clothing.
- Founded
- 1966
- Operated by
- Stadt Rahden
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €4 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €3School students, university students, and people with severe disabilities with ID |
| Children & teens | freefree up to age 15 · Children up to 15 free. |
| Visitors with disabilities | €3Companions of wheelchair users have free admission. |
| Students & apprentices | €3 |
| Groups | €3 per personAdult groups; school classes and kindergarten groups €1 per person. |
| Season ticket (1 person) | €12 |
| Season ticket (2 people) | €20 |
| Guided tour (group of up to 25 people) | €15Group price in addition to admission, also in English. |
| Photography with large parties | €25Flat fee for wedding parties or groups with a photographer, regardless of the number of people. |
The prices also apply on event days; deviations are possible for special events.
Accessibility
- Partially wheelchair accessible
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom
- 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
Mostly accessible: all buildings are on an accessible circular path; the Lütke Hus, main building, and wedding room can also be entered by wheelchair.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 15 |
|---|
- Family tours & workshops
- Hands-on stations
- Kids’ birthday parties
Hands-on programs such as baking rolls, butter making, or weaving, can also be booked as a children's birthday party. On event days there are craft activities, a bouncy castle, and face painting; in spring a children's flea market takes place.
Getting there & parking
By car
Parking available
Amenities & dining
- Restaurant
Restaurant with beer garden "Schneiders am Museumshof"; on event days, cake from the stone baking oven and savory dishes. Smoking is prohibited throughout the grounds.
Events & venue rental
- Weddings / ceremonies
Wedding room at the Museumshof.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes · approx. 60 min |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Photography | Photography by larger parties with a photographer costs a flat fee of €25. |
| Good to know | Guided tours by volunteers last about 1 to 1.5 hours, also in English; larger groups on request. Museum education programs (e.g., From Grain to Bread, butter making, fabric printing, bees, spinning, and weaving) for children's and adult groups by registration. Pets are allowed. |
