Ruhrtalmuseum, Historic museum in Schwerte, Germany.

The Ruhrtalmuseum is a historic museum in Schwerte dedicated to the history and development of the Ruhr region. The building displays collections of objects, documents, and photographs that illustrate several centuries of regional history.

The building dates from 1550 and now houses exhibitions about regional history. From early settlements through industrial development to modern times, it documents the transformation of the Ruhr region.

The museum shows how people lived and worked in the Ruhr valley and how the region changed from a rural area into an industrial economy. The exhibits connect craftsmanship, mining, and everyday life, revealing what mattered to locals across the centuries.

The museum occupies the Altes Rathaus in Schwerte. The open arcade was glazed with donated funds in 1996, creating a reception area; the former arcade now serves as the entrance space. The building also once housed the town night watchman's quarters.

The building served as the Schwerte night watchman's residence, and the open arcade hall was glazed with donated funds in 1996, adding a reception area. The museum's support association was founded that same year.