Schleswig-Holsteinisches Landwirtschaftsmuseum

Current exhibitions

About the museum

The Schleswig-Holstein Agricultural Museum opened in Meldorf in 1986 and is devoted to rural life between 1870 and the present day. The core of the collection is the holdings of Heinz Landmann, former director of the agricultural school in St. Michaelisdonn, who had been gathering evidence of farm work since the 1970s. The collection is still being added to. A special feature of the museum: people with disabilities work in many areas of the museum, and the partner organization since the opening has been the Stiftung Mensch.

The museum was built directly next to the Dithmarscher farmhouse. This building, over 300 years old, was moved from Osterrade to its present site in 1907 and is considered the second-oldest surviving open-air museum in Germany. It shows the life of a farming family around 1850, when people, livestock and harvest were still housed under one roof.

The permanent exhibition traces the change from manual labor to modern farming, with a focus on tractors and threshing machines from the 1930s to the 1970s. The grounds also include the Gerda-Nissen-Rosengarten rose garden with 50 historic heritage roses and the AgriDome, a model vehicle facility. The museum is run by the Verein Volkshochschulen in Dithmarschen (adult education association).

Highlights

• Historic tractors and threshing machines from the 1930s to the 1970s
• Dithmarscher farmhouse from Osterrade, the second-oldest open-air museum in Germany
• Gerda-Nissen-Rosengarten rose garden with 50 historic heritage roses
• AgriDome with a model vehicle layout you can ride along on
• Workshop of the Alttraktorenfreunde Westküste (old tractor enthusiasts)
• Museum café "Neue Holländerei"

Permanent exhibitions

• Dauerausstellung Landtechnik und Landleben – Shows the change in farming since the late 19th century through work tools, rural crafts, and tractors and threshing machines from the 1930s to the 1970s.
• Dithmarscher Bauernhaus – Farmhouse over 300 years old from Osterrade, showing the daily life of a farming family around 1850; open only in the summer season.
• Gerda-Nissen-Rosengarten – Garden between the museum and the farmhouse with 50 historic heritage roses from Schleswig-Holstein; in bloom from late May to late June.

Founded

1986

Operated by

Volkshochschulen in Dithmarschen e. V.

Director

Alexander Eggert

Admission & discounts

Prices as of February 2026.

Accessibility

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

The museum and grounds are low-barrier. The permanent exhibition is wheelchair-accessible, an accessible toilet is in the entrance area, and an elevator leads to the gallery. Two parking spaces are reserved for people with disabilities. Dogs on leashes are welcome.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Hands-on stations
• Baby changing facilities

In the AgriDome, children can drive model vehicles on the layout, using their own or borrowed ones. The school programs include hands-on activities such as threshing, grinding grain and churning butter. A baby changing table is available.

Getting there & parking

Amenities & dining

• Café

Museum café "Neue Holländerei" (Tue–Sun 09:00–17:00, closed Mondays). Bicycle racks next to the path to the rose garden and at the Neue Holländerei.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Weddings / ceremonies

Weddings can be held in the Dithmarscher farmhouse from spring to late summer; available dates and costs are arranged with the Standesamt Mitteldithmarschen (civil registry office). Smoking and confetti are prohibited in the listed building.

Plan your visit