More vividly than in any book, the Tuchfabrik Müller (Cloth Factory) conveys an impression of work in a factory. During guided tours, role plays, activity-oriented programmes, project weeks and cycle tours which appeal to all the senses, the children and adolescents learn about the historic cloth factory, the many varied topics related to it and the cultural landscape of the Erftmühlenbach (stream). In doing so, they develop factual, methodical, technical and social competence as well as creativity and “palpably” experience the difference between pre-industrial manual work and industrial mechanised production.
Which work steps are there between shearing a sheep and the finished cloth? That is what the children and adolescents experience during a tour around the former Tuchfabrik Müller (Cloth Factory), whereby it is possible to focus on specific topics such as “Workloads” or “Environmental Problems”.
Age: From 5 years of age/ Pre-school – 13th class
Duration: approx. 1 hour
Price: 40 € per group
Wolli, a hand-puppet designed as a sheep from the puppet theatre “Spielbar” guides the children through the factory rooms and introduces the children to his friends: the carder, the stoker, Mr. Shuttle, the female workers and last but not least Mr. Müller, the factory owner. The hand puppets, marionettes and shadow plays bring the everyday working life in the former factory to life in a surprising and imaginative way.
Age: 5 – 10 years of age / pre-school to 4th class
Duration: approx. 1 hours
Price: 60 € per group
Equipped with questionnaires illustrated with photographs, the pupils actively experience the guided tour though the cloth factory and therefore with lasting effect. During the tour they have sufficient time to work on the questions, to look closely and if necessary to ask questions. The completed questionnaires can also be used subsequently in lessons as follow-up.
Age: from 12 years of age / 6th class
Duration: approx. 2 hours
Price: 80 € per group
Here soft wool fleece and coloured flaked wool are used to make pictures, small balls, ornamental pearls or flowers.
Each child makes a small rag rug made of colourful fleece and material remnants using a simple weaving frame.
The programme is directed at children who would like to invent their own machine: with gears, screws and other objects they print their ideas on paper or fabric using coloured paints.
In a play-like manner it is possible to discover which function water has in the factory and what powers the machines.
(Only from May to October)
What is hidden away in and near water? Equipped with wellington boots, sieve and magnifying glass the animal and plant world of the Erftmühlenbach (stream) are explored.
Flaked wool and pieces of fabric are dyed using indigo.
Children and adolescents write a letter in “German Script” using a quill, a fountain pen and copying ink Then they try their skills in antiquated “wet copying” using the copy press.
Research and test the different properties of water in small experiments.
Re-design jeans & co with stamps and stencil printing and investigate textile production worldwide. All programmes for school classes include a guided tour around the cloth factory. All programmes are adapted to the level of the group.
Duration: 2 – 3 hours
Price: 80 € – 120 € per group (depending on the programme)
The museum is ideal as an out-of-school place of learning for all types of school and all classes – for excursions, project weeks, interdisciplinary learning and activities for the
(open) full-day-school. We have developed competence-oriented teaching projects taking into account the core curriculums. We would be pleased to advise you personally on how to integrate our options into your lessons and in addition we can compile a special programme for you. We also offer teacher further training upon request.
Contact us under Tel.: 02251/14880 (Mon – Fri).
