Deutsches Raiffeisenmuseum
Museum in a half-timbered house in Hamm (Sieg), the birthplace of Friedrich Wilhelm Raiffeisen, on his life, his work and the cooperative idea.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The museum stands in the birthplace of Friedrich Wilhelm Raiffeisen (1818–1888), founder of rural cooperatives. It occupies a half-timbered house at Raiffeisenstraße 10, which once belonged to Raiffeisen's uncle. Since 2000, the exhibition has shown his life and work across two floors and eight rooms, from his childhood in the Westerwald through his time as mayor to the founding of the first rural loan associations.
Original objects include the death mask, his eyeglasses, the Heimorgel (home organ) and the Order of the Red Eagle of Kaiser Wilhelm I. On the staircase, etchings trace his life story. The mayor's room displays files from his time in office, and a separate room documents the worldwide reach of his idea with books, pictures and gifts from more than 30 countries. In 2016, UNESCO added cooperative organization to its list of Intangible Cultural Heritage.
In 2018, the exhibition was redesigned with multimedia displays and modern technology fitted into the historic building. The house marks the start of the Historische Raiffeisenstraße in Hamm and is listed on the map of the Stiftung Orte der deutschen Demokratiegeschichte (foundation for places of German democratic history). The museum is run by the Ortsgemeinde (local municipality) of Hamm (Sieg). Tours of the house are led by the Heimatfreunde im Hammer Land (local history friends) and certified tour guides.
Highlights
- Birthplace and half-timbered house of Friedrich Wilhelm Raiffeisen
- Original objects such as the death mask, eyeglasses and home organ
- Room on the worldwide impact of the cooperative idea
- Multimedia exhibition across two floors
- Museum Sunday on the first Sunday of every month
Permanent exhibition
- Leben und Werk Friedrich Wilhelm Raiffeisens – The permanent exhibition leads through eight rooms, from Raiffeisen's childhood and his time as mayor to the first cooperatives and their worldwide impact.
- Founded
- 2000
- Operated by
- Ortsgemeinde Hamm (Sieg)
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €5 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €2Children and young people aged 7 to 17 |
| Children & teens | €2free up to age 6 · Children under 7 free |
| Groups (10+ people) | €4 per personGroups of 10 or more: €4 per adult, €1 per child or young person aged 7 and over |
| Families | –Family rate for up to two adults with at least one child: €4 per adult, €1 per child aged 7 and over, children under 7 free |
| Guided tour (surcharge per person) | €4Students €2 |
Free admission: Museum Sunday (first Sunday of each month): free admission, guided tour €4
Students: €1 with a student ID during class visits; free for pupils of the Grundschulen Etzbach and Hamm (Sieg) and the IGS Hamm (Sieg). Press and specialist visitors free.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible: not available
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom: no information
- 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
According to the Museumsportal Rheinland-Pfalz, not barrier-free.
Kids & families
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Busbf, Hamm (Sieg) · 200 m
Amenities & dining
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Events & venue rental
- Spaces for rent
- Weddings / ceremonies
The museum's forum (foyer, film room) can be used for events; civil marriages by the registry office also take place there.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| Good to know | Guided tours are led by the Heimatfreunde im Hammer Land and certified guides; register through the Tourist-Information. If you cancel less than 24 hours before a booked tour, the tour fee is due. Virtual tour available online. |
