“Weinber Ferenc started building this house in 1924.” This is the story of the N\u00e9met Nemzetis\u00e9gi T\u00e1jh\u00e1z. It is also a tale of resilience. This house embodies the spirit of Dunaharaszti’s German community.
The N\u00e9met Nemzetis\u00e9gi T\u00e1jh\u00e1z stands in Als\u00f3falu. This translates to Altstadt or Lower Town. It was once a predominantly German area. Weinberg Ferenc and his wife St\u00f6ckl M\u00e1ria began building their home here. Ferenc’s father divided the land. This ensured his son had his own plot.
Weinberg’s family were farmers. They also sold chopped corn stalks. These stalks served as animal feed for Budapest carriers. They owned two horses and two cows. The house was built in two stages. The cellar shows an inscription. It reads “1943.IX. H\u00d3 20.” Electricity was installed in 1942.
In 1948, a Hungarian family arrived. They had been displaced from Upper Hungary. They lived in the main rooms. The original owners used the back kitchen and pantry until 1962. The cellar was divided. It once stored wine, vegetables, and milk.
Ferenc’s son Antal married Wagner Ter\u00e9z in 1948. She came from Taksony. Due to circumstances in Haraszti, they settled in Taksony. Wagner Ter\u00e9z’s siblings were deported to Germany.
Initially, the two families lived peacefully. Later, their relationship soured. The Weinbergs wanted their house back. The new family wanted the entire house. The Weinbergs couldn’t use their own porch. They couldn’t harvest grapes from their own vines. The wine supply dwindled. They had to fence off the cellar.
The new family did not farm. They were bothered by Weinber Ferenc’s livestock. They drove the pigs into the street. They considered them smelly. They often stole wine, milk and eggs. The head of the new family dictated who the Weinbergs could host and when.
The new family was known for their hatred of Swabians. During the 1956 revolution, they terrorized the Weinbergs. They took advantage of the chaos. Supported by Soviet troops, they threatened their lives. They even resorted to violence. Their goal was to force the Weinbergs to leave. Ferenc’s brother-in-law defended the Weinbergs. He was imprisoned for it.
The Weinbergs tried to reclaim their home. Eventually, they decided to leave. They built a house together on Szil\u00e1gyi Street.
The Heimatland Harast Foundation renovated the house. Local craftsmen also helped. The goal was to restore the house to its early 1940s state. They removed the shutters. The stable received brick cladding. They removed the bathroom. It was in the clean kitchen. Doors and windows were repainted green. The house was whitewashed.
The N\u00e9met Nemzetis\u00e9gi T\u00e1jh\u00e1z offers a glimpse into Swabian culture. It displays folk art and clothing. You can also see utensils, furniture, and tools. These items tell the story of the ancestors’ lives. The museum welcomes thousands of visitors each year. It requires constant maintenance. This ensures the artifacts last. It shows the life of the Swabian community in the early 1900s. The N\u00e9met Nemzetis\u00e9gi T\u00e1jh\u00e1z is more than a museum. It is a testament to the endurance of a culture. It is also a story of a family’s struggle for their home.