Nadelmuseum Iserlohn

Description

In 2020, planning began for a fundamental renewal and redesign of the nearly 35-year-old Needle Museum in the Artist and Museum Village Barendorf. Since May 17, 2025, the Needle Museum has presented itself in a completely new guise, both in content and appearance. The history of the eye needle is older than the success story of Iserlohn´s needle industry. Bone needles from the Roman Empire, late antique decorative needles, and early medieval brass needles bear witness to ancient craftsmanship. The tools of 18th-century needle makers vividly demonstrate the delicate craftsmanship and precision in the lengthy manufacturing process from wire to finished product, which was traded by Iserlohn merchants at the major fairs in Europe. By the 19th century, when steam engines had long since increased the pace of production, half of Iserlohn´s city population was employed in industrial needle production, including particularly many women and children. Surrounded by tools, machines, and needle products, at modern media stations in the new Needle Museum, the memories of long-forgotten needle workers or factory owners come to life. The stories passed down recount innovations and technical ingenuity, child labor and social misery, worker honor, civic pride, and global trade relationships. 

Demonstrations in the brass foundry and in the hairpin factory are only available as part of a booked group tour.