Stadtmuseum Gütersloh

Current exhibitions

About the museum

Gütersloh had its first local history museum from 1935, but its building and holdings were partly damaged and partly destroyed in World War II. From 1974 the remaining items were shown in a new Heimathaus (heritage house), which, however, offered too little space. In 1982 the physician Wilhelm Angenete and his sister Else donated two downtown properties with buildings to the Heimatverein (local heritage society) – on condition that a museum be set up there.

In 1988 the Stadtmuseum opened in the so-called Backsteinhaus (brick house), a granary from 1874; it is run by the Heimatverein Gütersloh, with the city contributing to costs. In 1997 the neighboring half-timbered house from around 1750 was added; it once housed the town's first Prussian elementary school. The two buildings have been connected on the upper floor since 1930 and have been listed monuments since 1984. A half-timbered house specially relocated to the grounds now houses the restaurant.

The flagship is the medical history collection, which goes back to Angenete's practice furnishings and received a special award in the European Museum of the Year Award in 1990. It includes the desk of Nobel laureate Robert Koch, a drugstore from 1890, dental practices from 1925 and 1955, and an iron lung from the 1950s.

Other permanent exhibitions cover the city's history from the Bronze Age to the present – including the complete Thiro coppersmith's workshop – as well as industrial history with the textile, metal, and printing trades. Each year several special exhibitions round out the program, traditionally on the theme of toys in winter.

Highlights

• Desk of Nobel laureate Robert Koch
• Iron lung from the 1950s
• Drugstore from 1890 and dental practices from 1925 and 1955
• Fully equipped Thiro coppersmith's workshop
• Working mechanical loom
• Replica of the Bronze Age Pavenstädt giant beaker

Permanent exhibitions

• Medizingeschichte – Award-winning collection that links general medical history with Gütersloh physicians – from Robert Koch's desk to the iron lung.
• Stadtgeschichte – Gütersloh from the Bronze Age to the present, with everyday life in the 19th century, the Thiro coppersmith's workshop, and the city's benefactors.

Founded

1988

Operated by

Heimatverein Gütersloh e. V.

Admission & discounts

Members of the Heimatverein join the public guided tour free of charge.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• 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

Accessible except for one mezzanine level (church history and school). The step-free entrance is not at the main entrance – please knock or ring, and the ticket desk staff will open it.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Kids’ birthday parties

Birthday parties (2 or 3 hours, max. 9 children) with an age-appropriate program: dressing up, museum scavenger hunt, crafts in the copper smithy, printing, or textile design. Workshops for children according to the schedule.

Getting there & parking

Amenities & dining

• Restaurant

Restaurant "Il Museo" (Italian and Spanish cuisine, formerly the museum café) in the half-timbered house on the museum grounds; reservations by phone 05241 2125773.

Events & venue rental

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

Plan your visit