Papiermuseum Alte Dombach

About the museum

The Alte Dombach in the Strunde valley near Bergisch Gladbach is one of the traditional paper mills of the Bergisches Land. The permit for a paper mill was probably granted in 1614; the oldest building parts date by dendrochronology to about 1618. Paper production ended here around 1900; the buildings later belonged to the property of the paper factory Zanders.

At the end of 1987 the facilities passed to the Landschaftsverband Rheinland, which developed them into a site of its decentralized industrial museum. The museum opened in 1999 and, besides the half-timbered buildings of the old mill, also uses parts of the neighboring factory Neue Dombach.

The permanent exhibition traces the production and use of paper over about 250 years. A water-powered rag stamping mill, models of the mill and factory, and a small laboratory paper machine show the step from craft to industry; visitors scoop a sheet themselves at the vat. The largest exhibit is the roughly 40-meter-long paper machine PM 4 from 1889. Friendship notes, penny novels, paper theaters, packaging and hygiene paper tell how per-capita paper consumption rose from a luxury good to a mass product.

In the outdoor area stand further machines and fiber plants, and a small workers' house shows the life of a papermaking family in the 19th century. A paper festival and a paper market take place every year.

Highlights

• Water-wheel-driven rag stamping mill
• Scoop your own paper at the vat
• Paper machine PM 4 from 1889 (about 40 m long)
• Demonstration of a laboratory paper machine
• Workers' house of a papermaking family
• Themed playground "Kleine Dombach" with water play

Permanent exhibitions

• Von der Papiermühle zur Fabrik, vom Luxusgut zum Wegwerfmaterial – Production of paper from the hand-scooped sheet to the paper machine and the role of paper in everyday life since 1800 – with a stamping mill, paper scooping and historic paper products.

Founded

1999

Operated by

Landschaftsverband Rheinland (LVR-Industriemuseum)

Admission & discounts

Free admission: Free admission every first Friday of the month (does not apply to special exhibitions and events).

The museum ticket is valid for the permanent and special exhibitions. Group tour (up to 25 people): €55 for adults, €45 for children's groups and school classes.

Accessibility

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

Elevator to all floors, but some rooms of the historic building can be reached only by steps; cobblestones on the paths. Tours with touch opportunities for blind people, sign language interpreters for tours free of charge on request, audio guide in Plain Language, seating in the exhibition.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Hands-on stations
• Stroller-friendly
• Baby changing facilities
• Playground / play area
• Kids’ birthday parties

Children scoop paper themselves; every 1st Sunday a children's and family tour for children aged 4 and up, workshops and craft activities during the Easter, summer and fall holidays. Large themed playground "Kleine Dombach" with a mud and water play area. Children's birthday parties from age 4 (up to 12 children) with a tour, paper scooping and crafts; annual paper festival.

Getting there & parking

The museum is located in the Strunde valley on Kürtener Straße, about 2 km east of the center of Bergisch Gladbach.

Amenities & dining

• Café

Café Alte Dombach with a beer garden on the grounds; temporarily closed due to a change of tenant. Picnic area.

Events & venue rental

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

Plan your visit