Niederrheinisches Museum Kevelaer

About the museum

The museum's origins go back to 1910, when the then Verein für Heimatschutz (local heritage association) began the first collections on the region and showed them in the museum "De alde Weem". In 1937 the holdings were merged with the Geldern district museum to form the Kreisheimatmuseum "Haus der Heimat" at the Marienpark and were expanded with, among others, the collection of the surveyor Michael Buyx.

An air raid destroyed large parts of the building in 1945. After the war the museum found a new home in the Risbroecksches Haus on Hauptstraße; with the Quadrum building (1958–1960) and a new museum wing (1973–1976) it grew into a modern regional museum. In 1995 the wing reopened after modernisation, and since then a non-profit operating association chaired by the District Administrator of the Kleve district has run the museum.

On around 2,500 square metres over three floors and in four historic buildings, the museum presents more than 20 themed areas: rural and bourgeois living culture, traditional crafts, popular piety and pilgrimage, shooting guilds, regional history, Lower Rhine earthenware, graphic art and a large toy collection. Since 2021 the art collection of Dr. Georg and Eva Ratermann with works of Classical Modernism has also been on display.

Highlights

• Dr. Georg and Eva Ratermann collection with works by Lehmbruck, Otto Mueller and Mondrian
• Lower Rhine earthenware
• Juliane Metzger toy collection
• Bronze sea panther, almost 2,000 years old
• Historic classroom and craftsmen's workshops
• Bergs wax collection

Permanent exhibitions

• Sammlung Dr. Georg und Eva Ratermann – Restored artworks from various periods, including works by Wilhelm Lehmbruck, Otto Mueller and Piet Mondrian.
• Altes Leben, Wohnen und Handwerk – Staged living and working spaces, from the farmhouse to the noble's room, workshops, a baker's room, a dentist and a grocery shop show everyday life on the Lower Rhine.
• Spielzeugsammlung – The Juliane Metzger toy collection with dollhouses, the historic classroom and the corner shop is being presented anew in a family-friendly way; reopening on 13 December 2026.

Operated by

Niederrheinisches Museum Kevelaer e.V.

Director

Veronika Kaenders

Admission & discounts

School classes and kindergartens from the Kleve district have free admission.

Accessibility

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

The special and permanent exhibition areas are partly accessible without barriers via lifts. The old building (including Old Living and Working, Noble Living Culture, Crafts of the Body, the wax collection, shooting guilds, piety) is not accessible. The cloakroom, lockers and accessible toilet are reachable without steps; companions have free admission, and assistance and companion dogs are welcome.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Playground / play area
• Kids’ birthday parties

Children's and family workshops, holiday activities and children's birthday parties with creative workshops; explanatory texts for children on the website. Playground on the neighbouring Mechelner Platz. The toy collection is being redesigned to be more family-friendly and interactive.

Getting there & parking

By car via the A 57, exit Sonsbeck/Kevelaer (no. 5), or the B 9. Further entrances on foot via Hauptstraße (pedestrian zone) and Busmannstraße.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop
• Coat check
• Lockers

Historic pub as a place to linger and for events; museum shop.

Events & venue rental

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

Civil wedding ceremonies in the noble's room of the Risbroecksches Haus (up to 12 people, room hire €145 including registry office fee); the historic pub can be booked for events; celebrations also combined with a tour and workshops.

Plan your visit