Westfälisches Glockenmuseum Gescher

About the museum

Gescher has been associated with bell casting for centuries; to this day the last bell foundry in North Rhine-Westphalia operates here. The Westfälisches Glockenmuseum is dedicated to this craft and to the cultural history of the bell. It is housed on the Museumshof in the town center in a listed building that was constructed in 1902 as a police station.

In 2010 the building received a large new exhibition hall and a new entrance area, which almost doubled the exhibition space. Around 1,000 objects are on display – church and chapel bells, carillons, and small bells from different centuries and materials. Among the oldest pieces are Roman bells and a sugarloaf bell from the 12th century.

The exhibition leads through the development of the bell shape, sound and bell music, mold making and casting, inscriptions and decoration, and the loss of bells in the World Wars. A reconstructed foundry workshop and numerous hands-on stations invite visitors to try things out. Under the museum's roof, the Deutsches Glockenmuseum e. V., founded in 1984, also works as a research institution with a specialist library. The museum is run by the town of Gescher; a friends' association supports it.

Highlights

• Around 1,000 objects about the bell
• Sugarloaf bell from the 12th century
• Reconstructed bell foundry workshop
• Hands-on and media stations on the sound of bells
• Can be combined with a visit to the Petit & Gebr. Edelbrock bell foundry

Permanent exhibitions

• Westfälisches Glockenmuseum – Dauerausstellung – A journey through the history of the bell, from its shape through casting and decoration to sound and bell music, with many stations to try out.

Operated by

Stadt Gescher

Admission & discounts

Daycare children and school classes with up to two companions have free admission.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom
• 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

Main entrance from Lindenstraße is step-free. The bell collection, media stations, and most hands-on stations are on the first floor. Accessible restrooms outside. Educational programs can be adapted for people with disabilities.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Hands-on stations
• Kids’ birthday parties

Hands-on museum where children act as bell researchers, striking bells and experimenting. Children's birthday parties with a search game (up to age 6) as well as bell detective or pirate parties (ages 6–10).

Getting there & parking

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

Amenities & dining

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

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Weddings / ceremonies

Civil wedding ceremonies at the Glockenmuseum; information from the registry office of the town of Gescher.

Plan your visit