Schleiper Hammer

Current Note: Please check the facility’s website to see if visits are permitted and under what current conditions.

In 1842, the Hamm mill was rebuilt, and production began of “Osemund,” a tough and easily forgeable type of iron used for wire manufacturing. However, since the burgeoning industry in the Ruhr region, with its new technologies, was able to supply cheaper raw materials, the new owners—the brothers Carl Friedrich and Robert Lausberg—converted it to a broad hammer mill shortly thereafter, where shovels, spades, trowels, and beet and potato hoes. After the hammer mill was used as a wire pin factory by the Schmitz brothers from 1854 to 1862, it once again passed into the ownership of the Schriever family, who resumed production of flat goods.

Finally, in 1895, the Hamm mill was converted into a factory, with the new drop hammers now powered by steam and driven by a turbine. Many businesses—some of which still exist today—have their origins in the old Hamme mill: these include the Potthoff screw factory and the firm Grote & Brocksieper, which produced tools, as well as the firms Schröder and de Graat, which processed plastics.

The more recent history of the Schleiper Hamm began in 1989, when the Kierspe Heritage Society purchased the building and has since restored the facility. Among other things, the Hammerteich pond was restored. In addition to preserving the structure and restoring chimneys and fire pits, the focus was on installing the turbine and acquiring old hammers. The first spring hammer to be restored to working order has been in operation since September 1993.

Today, the site stands as a fully operational industrial museum: The water stored in the hammer pond drives a turbine with a generator. The electrical energy is fed into the grid. In the forge section, spring and drop hammers are in operation, shaping the red-hot iron. These are driven by gear transmissions or electric motors. The machine shop houses machinery, some of which is over 100 years old: lathes, punches, milling machines, and long planers.

The production of flat goods, as was common around 1930, is vividly demonstrated here. In addition, various plastic presses are on display in the upper part of the Hammme mill, illustrating the development of this important industrial sector in the Kierspe area.

The Bakelite section features hand- and motor-driven toggle-lever and hydraulic presses, as well as grinding and polishing machines.

History: From Iron to Plastic:
In this region, economic development was based on an abundance of water and timber, as well as metal extraction—that is, mining and iron smelting.

In pre-industrial times, numerous water-powered ironworks, hammer mills, and mills sprang up along the Volme River in the Upper Volmetal region (Meinerzhagen, Kierspe, Halver, Schalksmühle). The Schleiper Hamm is a prime example. Originally, in the mid-19th century, “Osemund” —a type of iron well-suited for forging—was produced here for wire manufacturing. Later, production shifted to flat goods (including shovels, spades, and hoes). The high-quality products manufactured in this way in the Märkische Sauerland region were in high demand.

With the advent of electricity, an interesting synergy effect emerged:
Switches, outlets, sockets, etc., featuring metal contacts and insulating bodies made of Bakelite—the first plastic—proved themselves as a complete solution in millions of units.

Starting in 1930, a strong center of excellence for the metal and electrical industries emerged in our region.

The museum reflects this: metalworking as it was 100 years ago and the manufacture of Bakelite products. The historic machines are relics from the heyday of local production.
A small exhibition also features items from the unique Bakelitmuseum in Kierspe.

As part of the “Südwestfalen macht Schule” initiative, the Schleiper Hamm was certified in 2016 as an extracurricular learning site and is a popular destination for elementary and secondary school students. It’s well worth a visit!

Contact:
Heimatverein Kierspe e. V.
www.kierspe.de/heimatverein

Email: heimatverein@kierspe.de

Tours:
Every first Wednesday of the month from April through October, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The site is closed from November through March.

Admission is free.

Demonstrations (featuring blacksmithing and Bakelite presses in action) take place on Mill Day (Whit Monday) and on the second Sunday in September for National Heritage Day. Special tours for groups are available upon prior reservation.

Traditional event: “
” Advent Bazaar, on the first weekend of Advent, Saturday and Sunday.

The Schleiper Hamm is located on the Südwestfalen Iron Road and is a landmark of WasserEisenLand—Industrial Culture in Südwestfalen

Text source © WasserEisenLand

Incidentally, the VolmeSchatz Industrial Heritage Trail —The Iron Country in Süderlande—also begins not far from the Schleiper Hamm. Along the route, hikers will find interesting informational signs, and a starting sign provides an overview of the trail’s course.

Tip: Ata “Kierspe listening point” near the Schleiper Hamm, you can use a QR code to access fascinating information about this historic building. You can find more details under the entry “Kierspe listening points.”

All information is provided without guarantee!