Textil- und Rennsportmuseum
Museum in a former weaving mill in Hohenstein-Ernstthal on textile production, hosiery knitting and the racing history of the Sachsenring.
About the museum
The museum is housed in a five-story factory building on Antonstraße, which the blanket and upholstery fabric weaving company C. F. Jäckel had built in 1899. The company, founded in 1867, produced here with mechanical looms; after several changes of ownership, it operated as a state-owned factory until reunification.
When the company was wound down in 1991, a textile engineer secured machines, pattern books and documents. A year later a friends' association was founded, in 1994 the town bought the building, and on May 26, 1995, the Textil- und Heimatmuseum (textile and local history museum) opened here.
In 2001, the history of motorsport at the nearby Sachsenring was added, and the museum received its current name. A year later a section on stockings and underwear followed. Between 2011 and 2014, the building was extensively renovated and made accessible.
Today, on around 1,400 square meters, the association shows a working jacquard weaving mill, regional hosiery and knitwear production, racing cars and motorcycles from the Sachsenring, and modern technical textiles.
Highlights
- Working jacquard looms in the demonstration workshop
- History of hosiery knitting in the region
- Motorsport history of the Sachsenring with the GDR formula racing car MT 77
- Technical textiles made of glass, carbon and basalt fibers
- Public demonstrations on every 4th Sunday of the month
Permanent exhibitions
- Schauwerkstatt Jacquardweberei – Punch-card-controlled looms show how patterns are created in fabric and why this technology is considered a forerunner of computer control; the machines run during demonstrations.
- Wirkerei und Strumpfgeschichte – The mechanical production of stockings and knitwear since the 16th century and its importance for the region, with products from around a hundred years.
- Legenden vom Sachsenring – More than nine decades of racing at the Sachsenring – from motorcycle races to the GDR's formula series, including the MT 77 racing car.
- Founded
- 1995
- Operated by
- Förderverein Textil- und Rennsportmuseum Hohenstein-Ernstthal e. V.
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €5 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €3 |
| Groups (10+ people) | €4 per personReduced group participants €2. Tour fee €20 for up to 25 people, larger groups are preferably split; the tour fee is waived for school classes. |
| Families | €10 |
Accessibility
- 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
The museum is accessible without barriers and equipped for people with disabilities.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Family ticket | €10 |
|---|
- Family tours & workshops
- Kids’ birthday parties
Children's birthday parties with a sewing workshop led by a textile designer (price by arrangement). In the demonstration workshops, weaving and knitting machines run during demonstrations.
Getting there & parking
The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.
Amenities & dining
- Café
- Museum shop
Museum café; sale of textile products.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Tours are also possible outside opening hours by arrangement. For school classes, there are projects on weaving, knitting, textile crafts, sewing and technical textiles (grades 1–11). |
