Early Birthplaces

Rheinish Industrial Museum at Oberhausen

Oberhausen saw the beginning of iron production in the Ruhr. It was here that the first ironworks in the region were constructed and today the Rheinish Industrial Museum and the Rheinland Regional Council present an impressive journey through time into the heavy industrial history of the region at the Museum of Heavy Industry.

The Rheinish Industrial Museum tells the dramatic story of heavy industry in the Ruhr, in an lively, captivating way: In the old zinc factory at Altenberg, right next to Oberhausen train station, the old brick halls of the zinc factory still smell of smoke, sweat and hard work – ideal surroundings for the presentation of an epoch which has left its mark on the face of the area.

St. Anthony's works, the cradle of industry in the Ruhr is also part of the museum. From May 2008 the Rheinish Industrial Museum will present a new permanent exhibition that tells the story of the first ironworks in the Ruhr. Archaeological investigations on former industrial sites have made the remains of these works visible and accessible for visitors.

Archeo-industrial excavation at St. Antony Ironworks in Oberhausen: spring 2007
(Photo: The Rhine Industry Museum/Rhineland Regional Council)

The director's residence in 1758 at St. Antony ironworks
(Photo: Rhine Industry Museum/Rhineland Regional Council)