Eisenheim: The secret legacy of the oldest workers' settlement in the Ruhr area!

Eisenheim: The secret legacy of the oldest workers' settlement in the Ruhr area!

The Eisenheim settlement in Oberhausen is a true pearl of the Ruhr area. It is considered the oldest workers' settlement in the region, founded in 1846 by the Jacobi, Haniel & Huyssen steelworks union. Originally created to provide living space for the workers at the nearby “Alte Walz” rolling mill, the settlement developed in three construction phases by 1903 into a place of residence for around 1,200 people in 51 houses [Ruhr24].

When you walk through the settlement, you immediately notice that 38 of the original 51 houses still have a cross floor plan. These date back to the year it was founded in 1846 and tell the eventful history of the place. Around 1900, the settlement had around 1,200 residents who lived here in different types of houses that were adapted to the needs of working-class families, as Wikipedia happily adds.

Historical challenges and preservation

After the Second World War, the settlement began to decline. Many of the old buildings fell victim to demolition, and at the end of the 1950s Hüttenwerke Oberhausen Aktien Gesellschaft planned to completely demolish the settlement. But the residents fought back and in 1972 they founded a citizens' initiative that made a significant contribution to the renovation and preservation of the settlement. Through this commitment, the old wash houses could be converted into a people's house, a children's house and a museum, as Wikipedia describes.

The Eisenheim settlement is not only an example of social architecture, but also a lively place with history. The extensive renovation was completed in 1981 and the settlement is now a listed building. Every year, the Eisenheim Museum attracts visitors to experience the settlement's past up close and learn more about the lives of the former residents.

A look into the present

The museum will open its doors in 2025 from April 20th to October 26th, Sundays from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Admission is only 3 euros and access is free for children and young people up to 18 years of age. In addition to the exhibitions, guided walks through the settlement are also available and can be booked all year round. These tours offer an impressive opportunity to understand the stories and architectural history of Eisenheim.

There are other interesting attractions in the area, such as the Tonino Guerra Park and the “Blue House of Many Books”, which are ideal for a trip with the whole family.

Overall, Eisenheim reflects the development of workers' settlements in the Ruhr area and offers a fascinating insight into the architectural history of the 19th century to modern times. It is not only a place to live, but also part of the region's memory and cultural landscape, like Ruhr24 and Wikipedia impressively shows this.