Fabrik der Fäden

About the museum

The Weisbachsches Haus on Plauen's Bleichstraße is among the oldest surviving manufactory buildings in Saxony. The first part was built from 1775 by the calico printer Johann August Neumeister; later a mechanical cotton spinning mill was added under Ernst Wilhelm Conrad Gössel, an extension in 1808 to 1814 and a steam engine in 1858. The palace-like complex in the late Baroque style made entire production chains under one roof possible. It received its present name when the Weisbach family bought the ensemble in 1897.

In 2015 the building complex passed to the town of Plauen for cultural use. From 2017 it was renovated and converted into a museum, which opened as a branch of the Vogtlandmuseum on November 12, 2023.

On over 1,000 square meters of permanent exhibition, the Fabrik der Fäden (Factory of Threads) combines the historic building fabric with modern, interactive design. Topics are the famous Plauen lace, textile manufacturing and machines, fashion, the living and working world of people in the textile industry, and present and future production. In addition there are an area for special exhibitions and a visible storage facility (Schaudepot). A media guide, tactile models and hands-on stations make the building easily accessible for families and people with disabilities.

Highlights

• Plauen lace and historic embroidery machines
• One of the oldest manufactory buildings in Saxony
• Forum with patented LED floor
• Hands-on stations and media guide in sign language and Easy Language
• Visible storage with treasures of the textile collection

Permanent exhibitions

• Mehr als Spitze! – Textilgeschichte des Vogtlands – Interactive permanent exhibition on Plauen lace, textile machines, fashion, and work and everyday life in the Vogtland textile industry up to today.

Founded

2023

Operated by

Kulturbetrieb der Stadt Plauen (Außenstelle des Vogtlandmuseums)

Admission & discounts

Reduction with proof for people with severe disabilities, unemployed people, holders of the Plauen-Pass or volunteer card, school students, trainees and university students from outside Plauen, federal volunteer service participants and groups of 10 or more. Free for children and young people up to age 16, school students, trainees and university students of Plauen schools and the Staatliche Studienakademie Plauen, and companions of people with severe disabilities ("B" marker). From one hour before closing, half the admission price applies.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials
• Audio description

All exhibition rooms step-free, all levels reachable by elevator. Media guide with audio description, German Sign Language and Easy Language; tactile models and tactile guidance system. Two accessible parking spaces in the parking lot "Weisbachsches Haus Plauen", seating on every floor, free reading aids at the ticket desk. Because of renovation work on the neighboring buildings, a detour via the Handwerkerhöfe/Hofwiesenstraße is temporarily necessary, which remains accessible.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Hands-on stations
• Baby changing facilities

Hands-on stations, historic machines and clothing for all generations; child-friendly tour, discovery tour and museum game (approx. 60 min.), vacation workshops for families. Baby changing table in the accessible restrooms. "Familienurlaub in Sachsen" (Family Vacation in Saxony) seal.

Getting there & parking

Navigation address: Bleichstraße 1, 08527 Plauen.

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