Wülfing-Museum

About the museum

The Wülfing family of cloth makers was active in Lennep from around 1674; from 1774 the company bore the name Johann Wülfing & Sohn. At the beginning of the 19th century it took over the water-powered Buschhämmer (hammer mills) on the Wupper in Dahlerau and converted them to textile production. After a major fire in 1836, the rubble-stone old building that survives today was erected; over the following decades, master builders of the Schmidt family constructed the other factory buildings as well as housing for the workforce, so that a small village of its own grew up around the works.

From 1875 the firm concentrated on worsted fabrics for menswear and released two large sample collections every year. Energy came from water power and steam: in 1891 a compound steam engine of around 400 horsepower was installed, and from the early 20th century a generator also supplied three-phase current to the northern Lennep district – an early contribution to the electricity supply of the Bergisches Land. After decades of decline, the company went bankrupt in 1996.

Since 1997 the Verein Johann Wülfing & Sohn Museum, supported mainly by former employees, has preserved the factory's heritage. On display are the engine hall with the working steam engine and generator, looms from the sample weaving shop, the Dessinatur (design department), and a rare textile testing laboratory. On special event days, machines run in front of visitors; on the rest of the factory grounds, information panels explain the history of the "textile town."

Highlights

• Working compound steam engine from 1891 with a flywheel almost six meters across
• Three-phase generator from the early days of the regional power supply
• Punch-card-controlled Jacquard looms from the sample weaving shop
• Textile testing laboratory with historic testing equipment
• Special event days with machine demonstrations and guided tours

Permanent exhibitions

• Energie aus Feuer und Wasser – The engine hall shows the 1891 compound steam engine with its transmission and generator and explains how water power and steam supplied energy to the factory and the surrounding area.
• Weberei und Modedesign – Jacquard and dobby looms from the sample weaving shop and the Dessinatur (design department) show how new fabric collections were created from designs.
• Textilprüflabor – Historic instruments for testing fibers, yarns, and fabrics – for example for twist, yarn count, abrasion resistance, and crease behavior.

Operated by

Johann Wülfing & Sohn Museum e. V.

Admission & discounts

No reductions are listed.

Accessibility

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

The museum occupies several floors of a historic industrial building and is only partially accessible.

Kids & families

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

Getting there & parking

Amenities & dining

• Café

Museum café on Sundays 12:00–16:00.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Weddings / ceremonies

The museum café can be rented for weddings.

Plan your visit