Niederbergisches Museum

About the museum

The museum's roots reach back to 1913: school principal Julius Imig brought his private natural history collection to Wülfrath, set it up in the Parkschule, and in November 1913 the city council opened the room to the public. In 1920 the city took over the collection, which grew quickly through donations and purchases, such as the collection of manufacturer Theodor Herminghaus. At the end of the 1930s, the museum was to become a museum for the entire Niederbergisch region and received for this purpose, among other things, the holdings of the dissolved Mettmann local history museum.

After World War II, the collection moved to a former company building on Bergstraße, which the city had converted; in 1953 the museum was ceremonially reopened there. In the 1960s, museum director Willi Münch revived the almost forgotten tradition of the Bergische Kaffeetafel, which remains a hallmark of the museum today.

When the city decided in 2005 to close it for cost reasons, committed citizens founded a supporting association in 2006, which has operated the museum with many volunteers ever since. In about 20 originally furnished rooms, it shows early history and the history of the Earth, farm and bourgeois living culture, crafts such as weaving, pewter casting and a pharmacy from around 1800, as well as the history of the Wülfrath limestone industry. Concerts, readings, exhibitions and celebrations also make the museum a place of cultural encounter.

Highlights

• Bergische Kaffeetafel with Dröppelmina in the farmhouse fireplace room
• Original pharmacy from around 1800
• Home weaving and pewter casting, where casting takes place on special occasions
• History of Wülfrath limestone extraction
• Earth history and prehistoric collection from the estate of the founder Julius Imig

Permanent exhibitions

• Bäuerliche und bürgerliche Wohnkultur – Originally furnished rooms such as the fireplace room, bakery, bedroom and Baroque room show everyday life in the Niederbergisches Land in the 18th and 19th centuries.
• Arbeit und Handwerk in Niederberg – Home weaving, pewter casting and a pharmacy around 1800 present typical trades of the region.
• Erdgeschichte und Kalkgewinnung – Geological collection and the development of the Wülfrath limestone industry with historic and modern mining methods.

Founded

1913

Operated by

Trägerverein Niederbergisches Museum Wülfrath e.V.

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Admission to the permanent exhibition is free; concerts, readings and special events charge admission.

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

Only the first floor is accessible for people in wheelchairs or with walking difficulties; accessible restroom in the annex.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Kids’ birthday parties

Themed tours for daycare groups and school classes (e.g., Museum in the Dark, fairy-tale tour), the hands-on program "Vom Schaf zum Stoff" (from sheep to fabric) for 5- to 11-year-olds and children's birthday parties with a tour and creative activity for up to 12 children.

Getting there & parking

From the Stadtmitte stop through the pedestrian zone (Wilhelmstraße) to the pedestrian bridge over Mettmanner Straße; beyond it, the museum is about 50 m on the right on Bergstraße (10–15 minutes in total).

Amenities & dining

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

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events
• Weddings / ceremonies

Rooms for anniversaries, birthdays, memorial gatherings, receptions and seminars; civil weddings in the historic fireplace room on selected dates (museum fee €230 plus registry office fees, booking through the Wülfrath registry office).

Plan your visit