Oyfo Techniekmuseum

About the museum

Oyfo Techniekmuseum shows how technology came about in Hengelo and Twente and what it means for people and the planet. The museum was founded in 1983 as Hengelo's Educatief Industriemuseum (HEIM) and later operated as Twents Techniekmuseum HEIM. Since 1 January 2017 it has merged with the art school CREA and the music school Hengelo in the foundation Oyfo Kunst & Techniek, which combines technology and art under one roof.

The present site is the former factory hall of the Hazemeijer complex in Hengelo, where Oyfo has been based since October 2021. In the machine hall stand old machines, almost all of which still run, including a triple-expansion steam engine by Stork from 1916; a loom is also often in operation. The collection comprises well over 3,000 objects from textiles, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, telecommunications, process engineering as well as radar and detection; in addition there are a library, an archive and visual material.

Several zones convey the themes interactively, for example the "makeable" human with prostheses and DNA, the spirit of invention, Twente's textile industry and the question of how we treat our planet. Visitors are above all meant to try things out for themselves; there is even a slide in the building.

Highlights

• Machine hall with old machines, most of which still run
• Triple-expansion steam engine by Stork (1916)
• Interactive zones on humans, inventiveness, textiles and the planet
• Old factory hall of the Hazemeijer complex with a slide
• Workshops and Maak activities for children

Permanent exhibitions

• Machinehal – Old machines from the Techniekmuseum and HEIM, almost all of which still run, including the Stork steam engine of 1916.
• Maakbare mens – The museum's "Bodyshop": visitors find out what life with prostheses feels like and get on the trail of their own DNA.
• Scheppingsdrang – The "Magazijn" is about human inventiveness and a process wall where games explain the path from raw material to product.

Founded

1983

Operated by

Oyfo Kunst & Techniek

Admission & discounts

Free with Museumkaart, VriendenLoterij VIP-KAART, NVON membership card, Oyfo ticket/Oyfopas, FC Twente Kids Club/Young Reds and OV companion card. Book dated tickets online.

Accessibility

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

The museum is accessible for visitors with reduced mobility; a wheelchair is available free of charge, an accessible toilet is on the ground floor, and disabled parking spaces are at the front of the site. Films with a narrator are of limited use for deaf and hard-of-hearing visitors. On Mondays the loom is often running, which can be loud.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

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

Interactive games, a slide, Maak activities during the holidays and children's birthday parties (ages 5 to 12) are aimed especially at families. Admission is free with the FC Twente Kidsclub card.

Getting there & parking

Buses should approach via the Boerhaavelaan because some viaducts in the city centre are too low. About a 15-minute drive from Enschede.

Amenities & dining

• Restaurant
• Museum shop

The foyer leads to Lust Bakery & Bistro (pastries, lunch, dinner). Food brought along may only be eaten in the foyer. The shop (Mon–Fri 10 am–9 pm, Sat/Sun 10 am–5 pm) sells technology kits as well as art and design from the Netherlands.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Corporate events

Up to 150 guests.

Available for hire are, among others, a theatre hall (up to 150 people), the library, the foyer, the Hazemeijerzaal and several technology rooms for conferences, workshops and events.

Plan your visit