Papiermühle Homburg

Gartenstraße 11 • 97855 Triefenstein / Homburg • Germany
+49 9395 99222
kontakt@papiermuehle-homburg.de
www.papiermuehle-homburg.de


PAPIERMÜHLE HOMBURG - HOMBURG PAPERMILL MUSEUM

200 years of the art of papermaking you can touch - from the paper sheet scooped out of the wooden hut to the paper machine. Visitors to the Homburg Paper Mill Museum can expect an exciting journey through the history of artisanal and industrial papermaking in the original historical setting. With its striking pagoda-like hipped roof, the paper mill is one of the landmarks of the picturesque wine-growing town of Homburg in Lower Franconia, surrounded by the River Main and vineyards.

From 1807 - when the papermaking tradition was established in Homburg - until the mill was shut down in 1975, paper and cardboard were produced using water power. Clean operating water and sufficient energy to drive the waterwheel system was supplied by the Bischbach stream, which had its source not far from the mill building.

The range of early handmade papers included various writing, printing and packaging papers. Machines such as the Dutchman or the pan mill for producing paper pulp later paved the way for industrial production in the paper mill. With the cylinder mould machine, which was used in Homburg from 1887, coloured file covers, tobacco papers, windows and filter papers could be produced. In the 1930s, the papermakers specialised in filing and wrapping paper. Homburg's paper products were sold throughout Germany and exported overseas.

The living quarters of the papermaking family were located directly next to the former production rooms. Working and living were closely linked. The paper miller had to check the technical equipment in the machine cellar several times a day. During thunderstorms and storms, it was important to close the numerous ventilation flaps in the attics immediately so that the paper hung up there to dry on three floors was not damaged.

Following extensive renovation, the paper mill is now a unique museum in the whole of southern Germany. On display are not only the paper techniques of the past 200 years, but also the living environment of the Homburg papermakers. In the former glue kitchen, which is now a demonstration workshop, paper is scooped out of the wooden vat using a sieve; it seems as if the paper miller of yesteryear has only just left his workplace.

The completely preserved technical equipment is unique and fascinating, and not just for nostalgics. The cylinder mould paper machines, freed from the dust of past decades, rotate in the production hall for guided tours. Exhibitions on paper raw materials and their processing, watermarks and pre-industrial hand papermaking complete the museum's historical experience. In the outbuilding of the historic mill building, an experimental paper machine demonstrates industrial paper production. A Fourdrinier machine from Kämmerer runs on certain days and shows today's paper production in miniature. A large exhibition room for temporary exhibitions and a small letterpress printing workshop round off the visit.

 

How to get to the Homburg Paper Mill Museum: Directly on the A3 Würzburg - Frankfurt motorway, take the Wertheim/Lengfurt exit. Direction Marktheidenfeld.