Inhalt
The Place
The museum of industrial, economic and social history "Zinkhütter Hof" in Stolberg is housed in a former glass factory which was erected in the 1830s. The authenticity and completeness of the well restored ensemble (factory buildings, worker's houses and administration building) make the Zinkhütter Hof a very rare example of an architecture, commonly used in the early phase of industrialization.
In the second half of the 19th century, production was closed down and moved to a bigger, more modern plant built in the immediate neighborhood.
In 1904, the Zinkhütter Hof came into the possession of the later "Stolberger Zink", a company involved in mining as well as zinc and lead production.
- Factory building
While one part of the former factory building was rebuilt as an impressive music hall, other parts served as stables, forge and saddlery. Later, the utilization changed again and garages, a maintenance floor and laboratories were installed.
No longer bearing any resemblance to its original purpose, the factory building became a mere wreck, a "Sleeping Beauty" for several decades.
- Administration building
In 1991, the entire site was bought by the town of Stolberg. With the help of the federal state of North Rhine Westphalia and after extensive restoration work, a new museum was established in the old plant. On September 20th, 1996 the former glass factory was opened to the public as Museum of Industrial, Economic and Social History in the Region of Aachen, Zinkhütter Hof e.V.
