Stadt- und Industriemuseum Rüsselsheim

Current exhibitions

About the museum

The Stadt- und Industriemuseum opened on April 29, 1976, and as the first town museum in Germany combined the history of technology, industry and society. It is housed in the Rüsselsheim Fortress: since the end of the 14th century the place lay in the shadow of a castle, which was gradually expanded into a Hessian state fortress. Ramparts, moats and rondels still form the setting of the museum today.

The permanent exhibition runs chronologically through four sections. "Raumzeit" is devoted to the archaeological traces of the Main tip from the Stone Age to the Roman period, "Ortszeit" to everyday life in village and fortress since the Middle Ages. "Maschinenzeit" tells how the rural community became an industrial town, from the first manufactories through the sewing machine, bicycle and automobile production at Opel to mass production. "Weltzeit" covers reconstruction, growth and crises from the postwar period to the present.

The museum sees itself as a place where history is written together with the town's society and has been developing inclusive offers since 2016, such as multisensory tours for blind and visually impaired visitors. A café in the fortress, a museum shop and audio tours of the fortress complex complement the visit.

Highlights

• Museum in the historic Rüsselsheim fortress
• Industrial history from the sewing machine to the automobile at Opel
• Archaeology section on the Main tip with hands-on stations
• Multisensory tours and offers for people with disabilities
• Free admission on the first Saturday of every month

Permanent exhibitions

• Raumzeit – Archäologische Spuren in der Mainspitze – The archaeology section leads back from the present through 100,000 years of settlement history, with landscape reconstructions and try-it-yourself stations.
• Maschinenzeit – Eine Landgemeinde wird Industriestadt – From the blacksmith at the anvil through the first manufactories and Opel production to the assembly line, this section tells the story of industrialisation and everyday life.
• Weltzeit – Wiederaufbau, Wachstum und Krisen bis zur Gegenwart – The north wing shows the history of the town and the Opel plant after 1945, from reconstruction and building boom to migrant labour and rationalisation.

Founded

1976

Operated by

Stadt Rüsselsheim am Main

Director

Nicolas Lange

Admission & discounts

Free admission: First Saturday of every month

Prices apply to the permanent exhibition. Admission is free with the Ehrenamts-Card (volunteer card) of the Groß-Gerau district.

Accessibility

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

All exhibition areas can be reached by lift or accessible lift; folding chairs are available in the entrance area of the south wing. People with limited mobility can be driven right up to the entrance (parking in the fortress courtyard is only for loading and unloading). Assistance dogs are welcome, other dogs are not. Multisensory tours for blind and visually impaired visitors, and information in Leichte Sprache (Easy Language) and sign language.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Hands-on stations

The fortress walk with a discovery sheet (free at the desk) invites children to puzzle, sing and draw; a sheet for parents helps with explanations. For primary school classes there is the "Entdeckungen im Museum" format with short films, puzzles and a tour or workshop; the fortress raven Ruzi guides children through the kids' pages.

Getting there & parking

By bike you reach the museum via the cycle path on the south bank of the Main.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop

Café in the fortress (Tue–Fri 09:00–18:00, Sat and Sun 10:00–18:00; from October 1 to March 30 it closes at 17:00 in the evening; table reservations at +49 6142 83-4500). The museum shop has the same opening hours as the museum (+49 6142 83-2956).

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events

The fortress and museum offer rooms for conferences, lectures and workshops; the "Festungskeller" (fortress cellars) are suitable for private parties and company celebrations (enquiries at +49 6142 8329-50).

Plan your visit