The Museum
1927: Pioneering Exhibition The inaugural “Lower Rhine Shipping Exhibition” took place in Duisburg-Ruhrort’s iconic “Tausendfensterhaus” (Thousand-Window House), marking a significant milestone in the region’s maritime history.
1966: Saving a Legacy Recognizing the historical importance of the paddle steamer “Oscar Huber,” a group of enthusiasts formed a society dedicated to preserving this unique vessel. The goal was to convert the last paddle steamer on the Rhine into a passenger ship for future generations.
1971: A Municipal Commitment The city council of Duisburg made a landmark decision to transform the “Oscar Huber” into a floating museum, signaling a growing appreciation for the region’s maritime heritage.
1974: The First Maritime Museum Duisburg-Ruhrort’s first shipping museum opened its doors aboard the “Oscar Huber,” offering visitors a glimpse into the past and celebrating the river’s role in shaping the city.
1977: A Society is Born The “Society for the Promotion of the German Inland Shipping Museum Duisburg-Ruhrort” was founded to support and expand the museum’s mission.
1979: A New Home The museum found a permanent home in the former Ruhrort town hall, providing ample space for exhibits and educational programs.
1984: Expanding the Fleet The museum’s collection expanded with the addition of the “Minden,” a steam-powered bucket dredge dating back to 1882. This unique vessel offered visitors a hands-on experience of early dredging technology.
1996-1997: A Move to the Future After nearly two decades in the town hall, the museum relocated to a new, state-of-the-art facility.
1998: Grand Reopening The newly expanded museum opened its doors in the former Ruhrort bathhouse, offering visitors an immersive experience of inland shipping history.
2004: A Taste of the Past To enhance the visitor experience, the museum opened its own restaurant, serving traditional dishes inspired by the maritime heritage of the region.
2012-2013: Restoring Iconic Vessels The museum continued to preserve its fleet with the restoration of the “Fendel 147,” a floating crane from 1922, and a harbor steam crane from 1897. These restored vessels stand as powerful reminders of the industrial past.
The Building
1908-1910: Construction of a Belle Epoque Gem Construction of the Ruhrort Bathhouse, a stunning example of Art Nouveau and Late Historicism architecture, commenced.
1910: Grand Opening The doors of the newly built bathhouse opened to the public, offering residents a luxurious and modern swimming experience.
1942-1945: Weathering the Storm Despite the ravages of World War II, the bathhouse sustained relatively minor damage.
1946: A New Era The bathhouse reopened its doors, marking a significant step in the city’s recovery. A notable change was the decision to allow both men and women to swim in the same pools, departing from the previous gender-segregated arrangement.
1953-1958: A Mid-Century Makeover Extensive renovations were undertaken, giving the bathhouse a mid-century modern look with the addition of suspended ceilings, colorful mosaics, and stylish balustrades.
1959-1962: Ongoing Maintenance Further maintenance and modernization work continued to ensure the bathhouse remained a popular destination for swimmers.
1986: Closure The indoor pool facilities were closed to the public.
1988: Preservation Recognizing its architectural and historical significance, the bathhouse complex was designated as a historic landmark.
1991: A Vision for the Future As part of the International Building Exhibition (IBA) Emscherpark, an international competition was launched to repurpose the bathhouse. The winning proposal, by “architekturfabrik aachen” (afa) in collaboration with artist Ron Bernstein, envisioned transforming the building into a museum.
1993: Restoration Begins Renovation work began, focusing on preserving the original structure while adapting it to the needs of a museum.
1998: A New Chapter The German Inland Shipping Museum opened its doors in the beautifully restored Ruhrort Bathhouse, offering visitors a unique and immersive experience.
2004: A Culinary Journey The former boiler house was transformed into a museum restaurant, providing visitors with a delightful dining experience and completing the transformation of the historic site.
