Two fascinating collections in the previous Masteschen Factory Building

On the historical sites, where Iserlohn still is romantic and tranquil , the Promotion Group of the Iserlohn Museum were able to open the Museum for Trade and Post History on 31 July 1999. The County local (history) day offered at that time a good forum.

Department Trade:

The Trade Museum brings the traditionally rich past of the Märkischen Handwerk to life.. On two storeys, in thirteen rooms tools, working techniques and products from approx twenty skilled trades are presented. Today, there are ca 3,300 trade workshops in Märkischer Kreis with around 30,000 employees. It is an economic group with a lot of innovation and remarkable history. Apart from the tools typical to the trade and workshop our visitor can also get to know the tradition of many of Iserlohn´s craftsmen´s trades. Numerous documents, master craftsmen´s diplomas and photos awaken so many memories!

Department Post History:

The focus of our exhibition is the post development of the Town of Iserlohn and the County of Mark. First the Post allowed Iserlohn to become connected to the rest of the world. So the metal working process in this town in the 18th and 19th century could grow to a significant industry and trade flourished. For the long range trading contacts it became more and more important that the Town of Iserlohn became connected to the main trading routes. The role of the Post Service cannot be rated too high. It succeeded over topographical and political obstacles and promoted trade and consequently brought change.
With numerous exhibits and interesting documents and maps the visitor learns something about the traditional rich history, so for example about Heinrich von Stephan, whose efforts contributed to the World Post Society being established on 1 June 1878. With several original machines we can show our visitors how the technical development of communication took it s course. We can show machines in action, so that our visitor can envisage how communication techniques functioned.. We also show the new automisation, which eventually will replace man more and more.

Text: Reinhard Frohne (Juni 2001)
(Promotion Group Iserlohn Museum)