Unterer Eisenhammer

About the museum

For centuries, Exten was a place of ironworking. A mill race built in the 14th century, the Mühlenexter, supplied water power first for grain mills and later for hammer mills. In 1746, Johann Peter Kretzer founded the Untere Eisenhammer, which has remained in his family's ownership ever since. It mainly produced spades, shovels and hoes, at first also straw knives and scythes; the goods were sold throughout northwestern Germany.

At the end of the 19th century, machine-made competition, for example from Solingen, pressed on the Exten trade, and of the once numerous businesses only two iron hammers remained. In 1902 a turbine replaced the water wheel; at the Kretzer hammer a small power plant was built that supplied the village with electricity until the 1930s. The present hammer building dates from 1900, and until 2004 spades were still hand-forged here.

In 2005, the Verein für Heimatpflege und Kultur Exten (local heritage and culture association) leased the building and inventory in order to preserve the complex as an industrial museum; since 2006 it has been under heritage protection. On view are spring hammers, forge, drives and tools, most of which still work. For its commitment, the association received the Denkmalpflegepreis of the Niedersächsische Sparkassenstiftung in 2010. The neighboring Obere Eisenhammer is also part of the museum's offerings.

Highlights

• Completely preserved, working forging technology from around 1900
• Spring hammers and forge of the former spade smithy
• Hammer building with its own power generation
• Tours by members of the local history association
• Location on the historic mill race of the Exter

Permanent exhibitions

• Hammerwerk Unterer Eisenhammer – The completely preserved workshop of a spade smithy with spring hammers, forge and drives from around 1900 makes work with fire, water power and muscle power tangible.

Founded

1900

Operated by

Verein für Heimatpflege und Kultur Exten e. V.

Admission & discounts

Association members have free admission. Cash only.

Accessibility

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

Kids & families

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

Getting there & parking

Amenities & dining

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

Events & venue rental

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

Plan your visit