Tonbergbaumuseum Siershahn

About the museum

In Siershahn, in the middle of one of Europe's most important clay-mining areas, the Tonbergbauverein Westerwald (clay mining association) was founded in 1987. It aims to show how the extraction of clay shaped the region. In 1989, the association was able to acquire the "Gute Hoffnung" mine shaft complex – one of once 32 shaft complexes in the area – and restore its above-ground buildings.

The facility had been put into operation in the early 1960s by the Siershahn company Goerg & Schneider. Through a shaft just under 40 meters deep, around 20 miners in two shifts brought up white-firing clay until production ended in 1979 as uneconomical. Today it is regarded as the last built testimony to underground clay mining in the Westerwald.

In 1992, a museum pavilion was added on the grounds at the end of Poststraße. It explains modern clay mining from exploring the deposits through extraction, analysis and processing to recultivation, for example using the former open-pit mine Straubinger near Moschheim as an example. Under the roof of the shaft complex, the development from the bell pit to tunnel construction is documented; in the open-air area stand milling loaders, mine locomotives and mine cars, and a reconstructed tunnel shows the workplace of the clay diggers. The original plan to also make the underground galleries accessible failed because of the cost.

The museum is run by volunteer association members and is financed by admission fees, dues and donations. A large share of visitors are school classes and university students.

Highlights

• Historic "Gute Hoffnung" shaft complex with landing platform and shaft about 40 m deep
• Walk-in tunnel replica made of used mine timber
• Original winch from a bell pit with the matching hand tools
• Open-air area with milling loader, mine locomotives and tipping cars
• Pavilion on modern clay processing, clay uses and recultivation

Permanent exhibitions

• Historische Schachtanlage „Gute Hoffnung“ – Under the roof of the shaft complex, picture panels, tools and machines show the development of clay mining from the bell pit to tunnel construction; a reconstructed tunnel and a view into the shaft make work underground tangible.
• Moderner Tonbergbau (Museumspavillon) – The pavilion explains the geology and exploration of deposits, today's extraction and processing technology, the many uses of clay and the recultivation of former pits.
• Freigelände mit Bergbaumaschinen – Restored equipment from the machinery of a clay pit, including milling loaders, mine locomotives and tipping cars, as well as the restored machine house.

Operated by

Tonbergbauverein Westerwald e. V.

Admission & discounts

Accessibility

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

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Hands-on stations

For children's groups and school classes there are tours on clay and its uses. In the open-air area, many devices and machines may be touched, and a reconstructed tunnel can be walked through. Family ticket for two adults with children.

Getting there & parking

By car via the A 3, exit Ransbach-Baumbach/Mogendorf, then toward Mogendorf – Siershahn – Wirges; in Siershahn follow the signs for "Tonbergbaumuseum." GPS address: Poststraße 41 (at the end of Poststraße). Connection to the Kannenbäcker bike route and the Aubach route.

Amenities & dining

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

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events

The museum rooms are available for meetings, company meetings, seminars and celebrations; the association arranges catering through a regional party service.

Plan your visit