LWL Museum for Natural History

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LWL-Museum für Naturkunde
Westfälisches Landesmuseum with planetarium
Entrance of the LWL Museum für Naturkunde.jpg
Entrance area of ​​the museum
Data
place Muenster
opening 1892
operator
management
Jan Ole Kriegs
Website
ISIL DE-MUS-100912
Aerial photo (2014)

The LWL-Museum für Naturkunde (full name: LWL-Museum für Naturkunde, Westfälisches Landesmuseum mit Planetarium or Westphalian Museum für Naturkunde ) in Münster is a state museum sponsored by the Regional Association of Westphalia-Lippe (LWL). It includes the Natural History Museum (Westfälisches Landesmuseum), the planetarium , the biological station in the Heiliges Meer branch , which is located in the municipalities of Recke and Hopsten , the Kahler Asten branch and the palaeontological monument conservation for Westphalia-Lippe . The museum shows exhibits from the fields of biology and geology . a. astronomical 360-degree fulldome films and music shows are shown. The museum is located in the vicinity of the Allwetterzoo Münster and the Mühlenhof open-air museum Münster am Aasee on Sentruper Straße .

history

The museum name went through several changes over the years. The “Provincial Museum of Natural History” became the “Westphalian Museum of Natural History - State Museum and Planetarium”. Since 2007 the official name has been "LWL-Museum für Naturkunde - Westfälisches Landesmuseum mit Planetarium".

founding

Hermann Landois founded the "Provincial Museum for Natural History" on the grounds of the zoological garden on Himmelreichallee in Münster. It opened its doors in 1892 and Landois became an honorary director. The museum should first present the natural history of Westphalia.

The main holdings of the collections initially came from the holdings of the Zoological and Botanical Section of the Westphalian Provincial Association. In addition, the zoo gave deceased animals to the museum, which prepared them for the collection.

Relocation of stocks in World War II

In October and November 1944, the building was badly damaged by air raids, but the majority of the holdings had been relocated as a precaution, so that the war damage was limited to the building. After the Second World War , funds were scarce, so the exhibition could not be rebuilt until 1949.

Relocation

In 1967 the decision was made to move the zoological garden from the city center to the outskirts because a large bank wanted to build on the highly attractive site. For the museum, which had always benefited from working with the zoo, this was not an advantage. Therefore, the Regional Association of Westphalia-Lippe - formerly Provincial Association - asked the city of Münster for a subsidy for a new museum building in the immediate vicinity of the new all-weather zoo . The concept presented with the planetarium was convincing, so that the city approved a grant of 8.5 million DM.

The state of North Rhine-Westphalia also participated in the new building. With all other grants, only 14.5 million DM remained, which the Regional Association of Westphalia-Lippe had to raise from the planned construction cost of 29 million DM.

In 1981 the museum was reopened at its current location. The former building on Himmelreichallee now houses the Westphalian School of Music, in whose courtyard there is a cast of the ammonite from the foyer of the Natural History Museum.

In 2012, 244,000 visitors were counted, in 2013 there were 245,000 visitors, making the museum the most sought-after museum in Münster. In 2014 around 221,000 visitors were counted.

Opening of the planetarium

The large planetarium integrated into the new museum building was opened in 1981. The unique selling point of the planetarium in Münster is the combination of planetarium and natural history museum under one roof, which is unique in Germany.

building

The new building was opened in 1981 and has around 8,115 m² of usable space and 4,200 m² of exhibition space, on which permanent exhibitions and changing special and traveling exhibitions are shown. There is also a freely accessible museum courtyard with around 3,500 m². In the museum courtyard there is a paved timeline that guides visitors along a path from the Big Bang to the present day, various information boards on geology and geological history and several dinosaur sculptures . The planetarium located in the middle of the museum has a dome diameter of 20 m and offers space for around 260 spectators. From the outside, only part of the dome of the planetarium can be seen on the roof of the building.

Collections

The museum owns some scientific collections with a total of over 2.3 million objects that are used for research purposes or as a resource for the various exhibitions. There is a zoological collection with around 26,000 prepared birds ( hides , specimens, skeletons , clutches , feather pictures), around 13,000 mammals and 1,500 reptiles , amphibians , fish and other wet specimens as well as around 1.125 million insects , 100,000 spiders , 320,000 molluscs ( mussels and snails ), 1,000 other invertebrates and around 2,000 DNA and tissue samples . The botanical collection has around 500,000 botanical and mycological specimens, the geoscientific collection comprises 8,000 rocks , 15,000 minerals and 250,000 fossils . The ethnological collection comprises around 1,000 objects.

Permanent collection and exhibitions

Wing of an A 320 in front of the building
Bionic Car from Mercedes-Benz in the special exhibition

Permanent exhibitions

This exhibition looks at the life and evolution of dinosaurs and other prehistoric animals.
  • Coming and going - Westphalian biodiversity in transition
The exhibition replaces the old Westphalia exhibition "Westphalia in Transition" and is designed as a natural history state exhibition. It deals with the coming and going of animals and plants in Westphalia. In five areas, habitats in the field and open land, water, climate change, biodiversity and current research projects are discussed. The exhibition has been open since June 30, 2017.

Former permanent exhibitions

  • Westphalia in transition - From the mammoth steppe to the agricultural landscape
This exhibition dealt with the period from the last glacial period until today. The exhibition was closed and dismantled on October 2, 2016. It will be replaced by a new permanent exhibition entitled “Coming and Going - Westphalian biodiversity in transition”. This was opened on June 30, 2017.
  • Prairie and Plains Indians - Change and Tradition
The exhibition showed the way of life and culture of the Plains Indians, as well as the influence of European immigrants. The exhibition was closed and dismantled. The premises have been used for special exhibitions since then.

Special exhibitions

In addition to the permanent exhibitions, the LWL Museum für Naturkunde shows regularly changing special exhibitions on various natural history topics. Between 1986 and 1992 there were smaller special exhibitions that were presented in part of the museum. On the occasion of the 100th anniversary in 1992, the special exhibition "Dinosaurs" was shown in the entire museum. This could be seen until 1993. From 1994 onwards major special exhibitions followed:

  • Eat something?! (1994-1995)
The special exhibition dealt with the topic of nutrition and gave insights into the historical, cultural and social foundations of nutritional behavior . Different production methods of plant and animal foods were shown and the respective advantages and disadvantages were shown.
  • Prairie and Plains Indians (1995–1996)
The special exhibition showed the life of the prairie and plains peoples , their points of view, worldviews and value systems, in particular how they deal with nature, then and now. Later the exhibition was thematically expanded to include the influence of European immigrants and has since been shown as a permanent exhibition "Prairie and Plains Indians - Change and Tradition".
  • Totally crazy - an exhibition all about cars (1997)
The exhibition showed the relationship between humans and automobiles . Above all, the importance of the car for the economy and mobility as well as the question of future forms of mobility were addressed in the special exhibition.
  • Strong as a bear - natural and cultural history of bears (1998–2000)
In the special exhibition, the museum showed big and small bears from all over the world, their habitats and their origins. In addition to the biological representation, the exhibition also dealt with the cultural history of the bear and showed a collection of historical teddy bears . On the occasion of the exhibition, the museum made the largest teddy bear in the world.
  • Had a pig - natural and cultural history of the pig (2000–2001)
The exhibition showed the common path of humans and pigs through the millennia of cultural history . On the one hand, it was about the domestication of pigs, domestic breeds and pig keeping by humans and, on the other hand, about the opposing symbolism of the pig as a symbol of luck or a symbol for dirt and corruption.
  • Got the dog? - Natural and cultural history of the dog (2001)
The dog exhibition of the museum dealt with the meaning of the dog for humans, its biological origins and its "wild and feral relatives", the wolves . Above all, the close relationship between humans and dogs in the form of domestication and dog breeding was discussed. For example, the museum showed the dog in its various “areas of activity” as a guard dog, hunting dog or herding dog.
  • On the move - nomads then and now (2003)
Using the example of some nomadic cultures, the special exhibition showed the living spaces, economic practices, material culture and the social order of nomads. In particular, animal husbandry and animal husbandry and the associated dependence on natural conditions and seasons were discussed.
  • Is everything in flux? - The Ems - lifeline for man and nature (2004)
The special exhibition "Everything in the river?" Was created as part of the Regionale 2004 and was dedicated to the river Ems . The exhibition showed the connection between humans and nature and dealt with topics such as agriculture, transport and energy through hydropower. In addition to the exhibition in the museum, the planetarium showed the journey from the source of the Ems to its mouth with a multi-vision show.
In the Indian exhibition, the museum showed how the natives of North America adapted to the existing habitats during settlement and how the natural conditions developed into different cultural areas. The focus was on the northwest coast with its moderate climate and the two predominant elements wood and water, which the "First Nations" made use of. Using the example of the natives of Vancouver Island , the special exhibition showed how the Indians used to live and how they try to preserve their culture today.
  • Petrified treasures of Westphalia - fossils from 450 million years of geological history (2006)
The exhibition showed the original finds from excavations carried out by museum staff themselves. Around 550 exhibits were exhibited, including the most recent dinosaur finds from Westphalia and globally unique insect finds from Hagen-Vorhalle , which are considered to be the oldest flying insects in the world. A special feature of the exhibition was the 6 m stone slab with 400 petrified sea lilies from Bad Driburg .
  • Plant Worlds - People, Plants, Stories (2007)
The special exhibition “Plant Worlds” showed where plants can be found everywhere. The subject of the exhibition was also the properties of plants as a source of food and oxygen for humans, their meaning in paintings, poems and photographs, and a botanical journey through Westphalia and the world. The special exhibition was opened in the 300th year of the birth of the famous botanist Carl von Linné .
  • Alles für die Katz '- Natural and Cultural History of Cats (2008)
The exhibition was dedicated to the cat , one of man's most popular pets . The museum showed the history of the cat from its roots in wild Africa to its domestication . The museum presented the natural and cultural history of cats on over 700 m² of exhibition space.
The special exhibition in 2009 was all about Charles Darwin , who published his groundbreaking work On the Origin of Species over 150 years ago . The exhibition organizers focused on the many thematic facets of evolution, the connection between humans and animals, the evolution of morality , the spread of humanity across the world and possible future developments.
  • All the wealth in this world (2010-2011)
2010 was proclaimed the International Year of Biodiversity by the United Nations . On the occasion of this festive year, the museum allowed insights into its magazines and showed the colorful diversity of native, immigrated and extinct animals, plants and mushrooms . The special exhibition dealt primarily with species protection and the preservation of biological diversity . In addition to the museum collections, field research in Westphalia was also discussed.
  • Animals of the Bible (September 3, 2010 - January 6, 2013)
The exhibition showed the various animals mentioned in the Bible and placed them in a cultural and natural history context. Natural disasters and changes in the landscape that occur in the biblical stories were thematized. An entire exhibition area was devoted to the 10 plagues and the scientific theories behind these phenomena.
  • Bionics - patents of nature (July 1, 2011 - June 17, 2012)
The exhibition showed which “patents of nature” humans have made use of for their technology and which they could acquire in the future. In addition to biology and technology, the special exhibition also dealt with the connection of biological models with engineering , architecture and mathematics . With over 800 exhibits, the museum presented the largest bionics show that had ever been seen in Germany up to that point. Special exhibits were the Mercedes Benz Bionic Car , which was developed based on the model of a boxfish , and the dancing walking robot Nao.
  • Whales - giants of the seas (September 21, 2012 - extended to April 27, 2014)
The special exhibition showed the great diversity of whales with over 900 exhibits. A special feature of the whale exhibition was a sperm whale stranded and perished in November 2011 . The carcass, which weighs more than 30 tons, was prepared for the special exhibition by the employees of the LWL Museum für Naturkunde in cooperation with other museums and with the support of public institutions. The sperm whale skeleton can currently also be seen in the museum's dinosaur exhibition.
  • Sex and Evolution (October 11, 2013 extended to January 11, 2015)
The special exhibition showed scientific findings on the connection between evolution and sexuality , on genetics and genetic diversity . The museum showed almost 450 exhibits and objects, including many specially made preparations that showed animals in the middle of the act of reproduction . A special area was dedicated to the cultural and historical background of human sexuality.
  • Life in the Dark (May 22, 2015 to May 31, 2016)
In the special exhibition, the museum was dedicated to the living environment in dark and poorly lit places. The exhibition showed the diversity and abilities of those living beings that have adapted completely to a life without light. Life in the deep sea , in cave systems and at night was treated in various subject areas . The special exhibition also showed the importance of light and darkness for people, for example in relation to night work. For the first time, the museum focused on the haptic exploration of the exhibition and showed objects, models and stations that could also be used by blind and visually impaired people with regard to an inclusive claim.
  • Water moves - Earth, Man, Nature (September 30, 2016 - extended to January 7, 2018)
The special exhibition shows water as a habitat, a vital element, a precious and rare commodity or as an unpredictable force of nature. In addition to animals living in and around the water, floodplain and coastal landscapes, shipping and shipwrecks, the exhibition is also dedicated to the religious aspect of water and the problem of water shortages and water pollution . The exhibition is designed to be inclusive , there are Braille texts and corresponding object labels and 100 tactile objects. The exhibition also contains 9 works by students from the University of Münster and the Münster University of Applied Sciences . The mini-exhibition “Coastal Fishermen: They Are Still Here” by photographer Ivona Knorr was shown at the entrance area of ​​the planetarium until May 28, 2017.
  • Bird catchers, veneer bags and plague pickers - nature and landscapes 100 years ago (November 18, 2016 to January 29, 2017)
The exhibition showed in pictures by the nature photographer and nature conservation pioneer Dr. Hermann Reichling the people, the nature and the landscape of Westphalia 100 years ago. The exhibition showed selected photographs together with important natural history objects and preparations from Reichling's time. The entire photo collection was processed and digitized in 2015 with the help of the NRW Foundation . The exhibition was a joint project of the LWL-Museum für Naturkunde, the LWL-Medienzentrum für Westfalen , the LWL-Museumamt für Westfalen, the Westphalian Natural Science Association and the Westphalian Heimatbund . The exhibition was dismantled at the end of January 2017 and is currently on a tour in a reduced form. In the coming months, is traveling exhibition scheduled for Minden Museum , the Museum Haus Martfeld , the Natural History Museum in the Royal Stables , the City Museum Brakel , in the Museum frets , in Bielefeld Farmhouse Museum , in Baumberger Sandstone Museum , in the medical and pharmacy museum Rhede and Dümmer- Museum Lembruch can be seen.
  • From the dark into the light (February 16, 2018 to May 13, 2018)
The museum is showing objects from its collections in a special exhibition before the regional natural history collection moves to a new central store. Various animal specimens, fossils, plant models, insect boxes as well as mushroom, moss and lichen collections are shown from the approximately 2 million objects from the zoological and geological-paleontological collections as well as the herbarium.
  • The brain - intelligence, awareness, feeling (June 29, 2018 to January 5, 2020)
The special exhibition showed the anatomical diversity and performance of the brain in different subject areas. In addition to intelligence, creativity and emotions, the exhibition also focused on artificial intelligence, perception, diseases and the animal world.
  • Relationship boxes - forms of coexistence in nature (25.09.2019 to 27.09.2020)
The exhibition deals with the coexistence and interactions between different living beings in nature.

Exhibition in the branch offices

  • Kahler Asten - The roof of Westphalia
The development of the area around the Kahler Asten as well as its plants and animals are presented.

particularities

Parapuzosia seppenradensis Original in the foyer of the museum

The Natural History Museum is in possession of the largest ammonite in the world , with a specimen of Parapuzosia seppenradensis found in a quarry in Münsterland . With a diameter of 174.2 centimeters, it stands in the museum foyer. In 2008 he was named Fossil of the Year by the Paleontological Society.

The planetarium has been the sharpest, air-conditioned cosmokino in Europe since the renovation in 2010.

Directors

  • 1892–1905: Hermann Landois
  • 1907–1915: Hermann Reker
  • 1915–1919: Rudolph Koch (acting)
  • 1919–1933: Hermann Reichling
  • 1937–1956: Bernhard Rensch
  • 1956–1984: Ludwig Franzisket
  • 1984-2016: Alfred Hendricks
  • since 2016: Jan Ole Kriegs

See also

Web links

Commons : LWL-Museum für Naturkunde Westfälisches Landesmuseum with planetarium  - collection of pictures, videos and audio files

Individual evidence

  1. ^ LWL - About the Museum. LWL-Museum für Naturkunde, accessed on June 28, 2017 .
  2. ^ Westfälisches Museum für Naturkunde, Karl Ditt , Landschaftsverband Westfalen-Lippe: 1892–1992: Festschrift 100 Years-Westfälisches Museum für Naturkunde. Volume 54: From essays from the Westphalian Museum of Natural History. Booklet. 1992, p. 7.
  3. ^ Westfälisches Museum für Naturkunde, Karl Ditt, Landschaftsverband Westfalen-Lippe: 1892–1992: Festschrift 100 Years-Westfälisches Museum für Naturkunde. Volume 54: From essays from the Westphalian Museum of Natural History. Booklet. 1992, p. 51.
  4. ^ Westfälisches Museum für Naturkunde, Karl Ditt, Landschaftsverband Westfalen-Lippe: 1892–1992: Festschrift 100 Years-Westfälisches Museum für Naturkunde. Volume 54: From essays from the Westphalian Museum of Natural History. Booklet. 1992, p. 54.
  5. ^ Westfälisches Museum für Naturkunde, Karl Ditt, Landschaftsverband Westfalen-Lippe: 1892–1992: Festschrift 100 Years-Westfälisches Museum für Naturkunde. Volume 54: From essays from the Westphalian Museum of Natural History. Booklet. 1992, p. 56.
  6. ↑ About the old zoo and what became of it Münster in old pictures and documents. Retrieved February 28, 2017.
  7. ↑ Münstersche Zeitung : LWL-Bilanz 2013: Naturkundemuseum is a magnet for visitors ( Memento of the original from April 8, 2014 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. , Münster, January 16, 2014. @1@ 2Template: Webachiv / IABot / www.muensterschezeitung.de
  8. ↑ LWL : LWL balance sheet 2015: LWL museums increase visitor numbers , Münster, January 9, 2015.
  9. ^ LWL - About the Museum. LWL-Museum für Naturkunde, accessed on May 2, 2017 .
  10. ↑ Permanent exhibition Dinosaurs - primeval times are alive! on the museum's website , accessed September 15, 2015.
  11. ↑ LWL - New Exhibition! LWL-Museum für Naturkunde, accessed on June 28, 2017 .
  12. ↑ LWL - Westphalia in Transition. LWL-Museum für Naturkunde, accessed on March 22, 2017 .
  13. ↑ LWL - Indians. LWL-Museum für Naturkunde, accessed on March 22, 2017 .
  14. ^ Alfred Hendricks: 1990–2000: The museum introduces itself . Ed .: LWL-Museum für Naturkunde. 2000, ISBN 3-924590-67-2 , pp. 10 .
  15. ^ Alfred Hendricks: 2010–2015: The museum introduces itself . Ed .: LWL-Museum für Naturkunde. Westphalian Museum of Natural History, 2015, ISBN 978-3-940726-36-0 , p. 8 .
  16. ↑ a b c LWL-Museum für Naturkunde, Westfälisches Landesmuseum with planetarium, Dr. Alfred Hendricks, Regional Association Westphalia-Lippe: 2010–2015: The museum introduces itself . 2015, ISBN 978-3-940726-36-0 , pp. 10 .
  17. ↑ a b LWL Museum for Natural History, Westphalian State Museum with Planetarium, Dr. Alfred Hendricks, Regional Association Westphalia-Lippe: 2010–2015: The museum introduces itself . 2015, ISBN 978-3-940726-36-0 , pp. 12 .
  18. ^ Alfred Hendricks: 2010–2015: The museum introduces itself . Ed .: LWL-Museum für Naturkunde. Westphalian Museum of Natural History, 2015, ISBN 978-3-940726-36-0 , p. 14 .
  19. ↑ a b LWL Museum for Natural History, Westphalian State Museum with Planetarium, Dr. Alfred Hendricks, Regional Association Westphalia-Lippe: 2010–2015: The museum introduces itself . 2015, ISBN 978-3-940726-36-0 , pp. 16 .
  20. ↑ a b LWL Museum for Natural History, Westphalian State Museum with Planetarium, Dr. Alfred Hendricks, Regional Association Westphalia-Lippe: 2010–2015: The museum introduces itself . 2015, ISBN 978-3-940726-36-0 , pp. 18 .
  21. ^ Alfred Hendricks: 2010–2015: The museum introduces itself . Ed .: LWL-Museum für Naturkunde. Westphalian Museum of Natural History, 2015, ISBN 978-3-940726-36-0 , p. 20 .
  22. ^ Alfred Hendricks: 2010–2015: The museum introduces itself . Ed .: LWL-Museum für Naturkunde. Westphalian Museum of Natural History, 2015, ISBN 978-3-940726-36-0 , p. 22 .
  23. ↑ Special exhibition Animals of the Bible ( Memento of the original from December 25, 2015 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. from the museum's website, accessed February 12, 2012. @1@ 2Template: Webachiv / IABot / www.lwl.org
  24. ^ Alfred Hendricks: 2010–2015: The museum introduces itself . Ed .: LWL-Museum für Naturkunde. Westphalian Museum of Natural History, 2015, ISBN 978-3-940726-36-0 , p. 24 .
  25. ↑ Special exhibition on bionics ( Memento of the original from July 13, 2011 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link has been inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. from the museum's website, accessed February 12, 2012. @1@ 2Template: Webachiv / IABot / www.lwl.org
  26. ^ Alfred Hendricks: 2010–2015: The museum introduces itself . Ed .: LWL-Museum für Naturkunde. Westphalian Museum of Natural History, 2015, ISBN 978-3-940726-36-0 , p. 26 .
  27. ^ Special exhibition Whales - Giants of the Seas on the website of the museum , accessed on October 30, 2012
  28. ^ Alfred Hendricks: 2010–2015: The museum introduces itself . Ed .: LWL-Museum für Naturkunde. Westphalian Museum of Natural History, 2015, ISBN 978-3-940726-36-0 , p. 28 .
  29. ^ Special exhibition Sex and Evolution on the museum website , accessed on July 29, 2013
  30. ^ Alfred Hendricks: 2010–2015: The museum introduces itself . Ed .: LWL-Museum für Naturkunde. Westphalian Museum of Natural History, 2015, ISBN 978-3-940726-36-0 , p. 32 .
  31. ↑ Special exhibition Living in the Darkness on the museum website ( Memento of the original from September 10, 2015 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. , accessed September 14, 2015 @1@ 2Template: Webachiv / IABot / www.lwl.org
  32. ^ Alfred Hendricks: 2010–2015: The museum introduces itself . Ed .: LWL-Museum für Naturkunde. Westphalian Museum of Natural History, 2015, ISBN 978-3-940726-36-0 , p. 34 .
  33. ↑ LWL - water moves. (No longer available online.) LWL-Museum für Naturkunde, archived from the original on March 22, 2017 ; accessed on March 22, 2017 . Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. @1@ 2Template: Webachiv / IABot / www.lwl.org
  34. ^ Alfred Hendricks: 2010–2015: The museum introduces itself . Ed .: LWL-Museum für Naturkunde. Westphalian Museum of Natural History, 2015, ISBN 978-3-940726-36-0 , p. 36 .
  35. ↑ Special show From Darkness into Light ( Memento of the original from February 5, 2018 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. on the website of the museum, accessed on February 5, 2018 @1@ 2Template: Webachiv / IABot / www.lwl-naturkundemuseum-muenster.de
  36. ^ Special exhibition The Brain - Intelligence, Consciousness, Feeling on the website of the museum, accessed on February 5, 2018.
  37. ↑ LWL - Kahler Asten branch. LWL-Museum für Naturkunde, accessed on March 22, 2017 .
  38. ↑ a b GIG-online.de: Experience Münster from Aasee to zoo. In: Veronika Horn, Wolfgang A. Münster: UNI-GIG. Münster, WS 2013, No. 44, p. 7.

Coordinates: 51 ° 56 ′ 58 "  N , 7 ° 35 ′ 28"  E