The Upper Harz Mining Museum is threatened with closure – citizens are fighting back!

The Upper Harz Mining Museum is threatened with closure – citizens are fighting back!

In Clausthal-Zellerfeld, the Upper Harz Mining Museum is about to close. The traditional museum is scheduled to close on January 1, 2026 after the city council decided to cease operations. The reason for this tragic decision is the failure to find a new operator and the enormous renovation costs that the city of Clausthal-Zellerfeld cannot bear. The museum, which was founded in 1892, is not only the oldest technology and open-air museum in Germany, but also a central focal point for the history of Harz mining.

The museum documents over 130 years of mining history and offers visitors insights into the life and work of the miners. It not only houses interesting exhibits, but also historical buildings and a show mine. For many citizens and descendants of former miners, the museum is much more than just a place of attraction - it is part of their identity and family heritage.

The challenges of closure

As is clear from several statements, historians and local residents fear that the closure endangers not only the museum, but also the cultural identity of the entire region. Those responsible in the city council tried until the end to find a new operator, but all efforts remained unsuccessful. Theoretically, an operator could still be found by December 4, 2025, but the prospects are bleak. The city is facing financial problems and significant structural deficiencies, which require an estimated 7 million euros in renovation for a single building alone.

Citizens also have to fear that the closure will bring economic disadvantages. The museum attracts numerous visitors every year who not only appreciate the history of mining, but also enjoy the surrounding natural landscape. This could result in the loss of an important part of regional tourism. The museum is also an important meeting place where events take place regularly.

Commitment to preservation

In order to ensure the preservation of the museum, the signs point to resistance. Museum director Ulrich Reiff is planning a petition and is supported by the Museum Association of Lower Saxony and Bremen. Citizens and companies are looking for new support models, collaborations and opportunities to raise funding in order to keep the museum running. An online petition is planned that will appeal to a broad audience and bring concerned citizens together.

The Upper Harz Mining Museum is also in the context of the UNESCO World Heritage Site in the Harz, which also includes the former mines in Rammelsberg and the old town of Goslar. This World Heritage site, covered with 3,000 years of mining industry, is a valuable cultural asset that is important not only for the region, but for the entire history of Europe. The closure of the museum would not only mean a local loss, but also a step backwards for the world heritage and its cultural significance.

It remains to be seen whether the commitment of citizens and the planned actions will be enough to save the Upper Harz Mining Museum from the threat of closure.