Here stands a testament to Dortmund’s industrial heart the Bergbaumuseum ehem. Förderrmaschinenhalle Schacht 3. This museum tells tales of coal mining. It showcases the grit and ingenuity of the Ruhr region.
The Zeche Westhausen mine was located in Bodelschwingh. This northern district of Dortmund was once a small player in the Ruhr area’s mining scene. Mining began here in 1873. In 1897, Gelsenkirchener Bergwerks-AG took ownership. The mine was shut down in 1955. The larger Zeche Hansa mine then handled the extraction. It also managed processing.
Among the remaining structures, the Malakowturm stands tall. This nearly 30-meter tower dates back to 1873. It is now a protected monument. The Maschinenhaus of Schacht 3 is also preserved. It houses a twin winding engine from 1924. Today it is the Bergbaumuseum ehem. Förderrmaschinenhalle Schacht 3.
The Bergbaumuseum ehem. Förderrmaschinenhalle Schacht 3 opened in 1999. This opening was thanks to a dedicated group. This group was a history circle founded in 1988. It operated under the Revierarbeitsgemeinschaft für kulturelle Bergmannsbetreuung e.V. banner. Most members were former miners. Their goal was to research their mine’s history. They aimed to share this knowledge. They wanted to pass it on to school groups and visitors. Over the years, they built an extensive collection. It covers almost all aspects of hard coal mining.
Outside the Bergbaumuseum ehem. Förderrmaschinenhalle Schacht 3, larger exhibits await. See a Panzer conveyor. Examine a mine car. Study equipment for pneumatic stowing. Observe a rope pulley. These objects come from Westhausen. They also come from neighboring Dortmund mines. These include Hansa, Germania, and Gneisenau.
The Bergbaumuseum ehem. Förderrmaschinenhalle Schacht 3 preserves mining history. It honors the people who shaped the Ruhr region. Take a moment to appreciate their legacy.