Haus der Seidenkultur presents an exhibition on the history of the Krefeld Mennonites

“Vom Krähenfeld zur Seidenwelt” (From Crow Field to Silk World), is the title of the new exhibition at Haus der Seidenkultur (HdS), which will be open to the public from Sunday, 4th October at 13.00 hours. Some 50 exhibits “relate” what influence the Mennonites once had in Krefeld and how they boosted the economy with silk and velvet and turned Krefeld into the richest town in the Prussian territory.

“The title of our exhibition expresses in a nutshell the fact that without this textile development the town of Krefeld would perhaps have not expanded beyond the four encircling roads (the so-called Wälle) or would have mutated into an insignificant suburb of Uerdingen” says HdS spokesperson Dieter Brenner.

The fact that Krefeld, an exclave belonging to the county of Moers, developed differently is primarily attributable the religious tolerance which the Moers rulers practiced and also extended to Krefeld.

The first Mennonite families who came to Krefeld shortly after 1600 made it known throughout the German territories that those of similar belief should come to Krefeld “where everyone could be happy in their own way”, is how the exhibition curator, Dr. Ulrike Denter puts it.  In 1656 this call was followed by Adolf von der Leyen and his family who originated from Radevormwald. They had already established a network to Italian silk weaving works.

Denter: “Over the generations these connections together with entrepreneurial competence and also manual skills transformed the von der Leyens from poor linen weavers into increasingly reputable silk weavers.”

The curator has compiled the individual mosaic stones of this development into an overall picture which shows that without the influence of the Mennonites there would have been nothing of significance in Krefeld. Even the “Städtische Krankenanstalten” (municipal hospital, now Helios Klinik) was built under the direction of the Mennonites.

The Mennonite Anna de Greiff née Floh, wife of the silk merchant Isaak de Greiff, took the initiative and donated the first 5000 talers to build an interdenominational hospital in Krefeld which is documented in the record of her will dated 1832. This document is also one of the unique exhibits in the exhibition “Vom Krähenfeld zur Seidenwelt”, (From Crow Field to Silk World) which can be visited until 31st January 2016 at HdS, Luisenstraße 15.

“This is our contribution the the exhibition series ‚Himmelwärts’ (Heavenwards) organised by the “Kulturraum Niederrhein”, says HdS spokesperson Brenner. The museum opening times are: Wednesday to Fridays from 15.00 to 18.00 hours and Sundays from 13.00 to 17.00 hours. Appointments for groups can be made by phone 02151-510812 or by email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

The Frisian theologian Menno Simons gave the Mennonite faith community its name.  Photos: HdS

The development of the textile town is woven on a silk cloth which can be admired in the exhibition.