Von-Velen-Anlage Papenburg
Open-air museum on the peat and fen history of Papenburg, with rebuilt settlers' houses, ships, a sculpture garden and the Papenbörger Hus.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
Papenburg was founded in 1631, when Drost Dietrich von Velen acquired the estate Papenborg as a fief and had the surrounding moors developed. Following the Dutch model, a fen colony was created with canals totaling 43 kilometers in length, along which the excavated peat was transported to the brickworks and into the towns. Later, shipbuilding and seafaring shaped the town's prosperity.
The open-air museum tells this story through rebuilt houses. The association Papenbörger Hus e. V. was founded in January 1980 and that same year received the captain's and burgher-farmer's house of the Dreyer family from 1820, which became the Papenbörger Hus, the association's meeting place and inn. Across the canal, the association faithfully rebuilt historic houses from other districts. The first of these, "Bid Klamphauer," was handed over in 1983, and the first guided tours took place in 1987.
A walk with 17 stations takes in, among others, a moor cottage, Plaatze, a peat-digger's house, a Muttschifferhaus, a raised bog, a Muttschiff and the Von-Velen Garden. It also includes an exhibition on the three-masted schooner "Johanna" and boat trips on the canals. The site is operated largely by volunteers and almost without public funds.
Highlights
- Walk with 17 stations through Papenburg's settlement history
- Rebuilt moor cottage, peat-digger's house and Muttschifferhaus
- Von-Velen Garden with sculptures
- Boat trips on the canals (seasonal)
- Papenbörger Hus with buckwheat pancakes
- Spökenkieker tours in winter for groups
Permanent exhibitions
- Freilichtmuseum Von-Velen-Anlage – A walk with 16 information stelae shows Papenburg's development from 1631 to 1900, using faithfully rebuilt settlers' houses, moor and ships.
- Dreimastschoner „Johanna“ – A permanent exhibition on the museum grounds tells the story of the 1890 accident involving the Papenburg three-masted schooner.
- Von-Velen-Garten – Under the motto "Kunst im Garten" (Art in the Garden), the garden combines sculptures and other artworks with nature.
- Founded
- 1980
- Operated by
- Papenbörger Hus e. V.
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €4 |
|---|---|
| Children & teens | €2free up to age 5 · Children ages 6 to 14; under 6 free. |
| Groups (6+ people) | €6 per personGuided tour for groups of 6 or more, per person; for smaller groups a flat fee of €30. School classes €3 per student up to age 14, Papenburg primary schools €2. |
| Boat trip (from 5 people, or flat fee of €30) | €6Per person; children under 6 €3. |
Cash only; groups can pay by invoice. Price list as of February 2026.
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 5 |
|---|
The site was certified in 2023 by the Lower Saxony Children's Holiday Land as particularly suitable for families with children.
Getting there & parking
By car
Parking available
Visitor parking and an e-bike charging station are available; the Papenbörger Hus is on Splitting, number 56 on the right.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Café
- Restaurant
Papenbörger Hus as restaurant and café with buckwheat pancakes, East Frisian tea, coffee and cake in the summer half-year, on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays from 12:00.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| Audio guide | yes |
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Group tours are available year-round by booking. Individual visitors can use a free digital museum guide with picture, text and audio for smartphone or tablet. In winter (November 1 to March 15), Spökenkieker tours are offered for groups of 10 or more; boat trips on request. |
