Schifffahrtsmuseum Haren

About the museum

The history of Haren an der Ems has been closely linked to shipping for centuries. To keep alive the memory of this traditional trade, an "Arbeitskreis Schifffahrt" (shipping working group) was founded in 1979. In 1980 the steam tug "August" became the first museum ship in the Haren-Rütenbrock Canal, followed by the replica of the Ems barge "Haren I" (1982) and the Spitzpünte barge "Helene" (1984), the flagship of the fleet. The museum officially opened on May 5, 1986.

In the following years the collection grew steadily: in 1991 the tidal-flats motor ship "Thea-Angela" was added, and in 1995 the museum moved into the old lock-keeper's house of the Linksemsische Kanalgenossenschaft (Left-Ems Canal Cooperative). Further additions were the route boat "Haren" (2003), the sea rescue boat "Bruntje" (2007) and the inspection boat "Meppen" (2011). The coastal motor ship "Johannes" completes the fleet as the eighth ship. Since 2014 the "Maritime Meile" (maritime mile) has also been part of the ensemble.

The permanent exhibition is housed in the lock-keeper's house and inside the museum ships "Haren I", "Thea-Angela" and "Helene". It is one of the largest object collections on the history of German tidal-flats and inland shipping. The museum is run by the Heimatverein Haren (Ems), a local heritage association.

Highlights

• Museum fleet of eight historic ships
• Permanent exhibition inside "Haren I", "Thea-Angela" and "Helene"
• Former lock-keeper's house with a freight office and ship models
• Exhibition on sea rescue (DGzRS, German Maritime Search and Rescue Service)
• Weddings aboard the Spitzpünte "Helene" and the coastal motor ship "Johannes"
• Püntker certificate and cruises on the Ems by booking

Permanent exhibitions

• Museumsschiffe – The permanent exhibition is set up inside the ships "Haren I", "Thea-Angela" and "Helene" and documents tidal-flats and inland shipping.
• Schleusenwärterhaus – In the former lock-keeper's house the museum shows the shipping history of Haren, exhibits on the Left-Ems canals, ship models and a small exhibition on the DGzRS.

Founded

1986

Operated by

Heimatverein Haren (Ems) e. V. in Zusammenarbeit mit der Stadt Haren (Ems)

Admission & discounts

Cruises on the Ems (only with museum admission, May to September, by registration): with the "Meppen" €300 for up to 24 people, with the "Haren" €150 for up to 8 people.

Accessibility

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

The museum is on the Haren-Rütenbrock Canal in Haren (Ems), Kanalstraße 1.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

Souvenir shop in the former lock shop.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Weddings / ceremonies

Up to 40 guests.

Civil weddings by the Haren registry office from April to October in the captain's cabin of the Spitzpünte "Helene" (up to 12 people) and on the coastal motor ship "Johannes" (up to 40 people); additional fee €100.

Plan your visit