Ruhr Museum

In the location's words:

The Ruhr Museum is located in the former coal washing plant of the Zollverein Coal Mine, Shaft XII in Essen. It has existed since January 1, 2008 as a dependent foundation within the Zollverein Foundation under the sponsorship of the state of North Rhine-Westphalia, the Rhineland Regional Association and the city of Essen. As a regional museum, it shows the entire natural and cultural history of the Ruhr region in its permanent exhibition. It does not see itself as a classic industrial museum, but as a memory and showcase of the Ruhr metropolis.

The Ruhr Museum has extensive collections on natural history, archaeology, history and photography, which are essentially based on the collections of the former Ruhrland Museum of the city of Essen. They are constantly being added to and thematically expanded, particularly with a regional focus. 25,000 selected items can be seen during guided tours of the Ruhr Museum's display depot at the Zollverein coking plant. In addition to the permanent exhibition on the nature, culture and history of the Ruhr region, the Ruhr Museum regularly shows special exhibitions, also on topics not related to the Ruhr region.