Kerns-Max-Haus

In 1603, a sturdy farmhouse arose in Blankenloch. This was the Kerns-Max-Haus. It belonged to farmer Max Kern. The Kerns-Max-Haus stands as a testament to resilience. Engraved in its northern wall and cellar archway, the date “1603” whispers tales of bygone eras. The Kerns-Max-Haus witnessed Blankenloch’s fiery destruction in 1689 by French forces. Amidst the devastation, only the church and the Kerns-Max-Haus survived. The village was rebuilt around them. The Kerns-Max-Haus continued to evolve. In 1766, under Georg Gierlich’s ownership, a southern addition with a grand archway was built. The archway’s keystone proudly bears “1766”. This renovation marked a significant shift. The main entrance and cellar access relocated to the south. This flipped the interior layout across all floors. While this transformation brought new life, it also meant the loss of some original architectural elements. Time marched on, and in 1962, the Kerns-Max-Haus underwent another renovation. Historical surfaces were stripped down, replaced with modern cladding. The vertical layout shifted again, with three new bathrooms added. Walls were torn down and rebuilt. Floors were raised. New windows offered fresh perspectives. Then, a new chapter began in 2008. The Kerns-Max-Haus embarked on a journey of transformation into a local museum. The roof was modified with skylights to invite more natural light. This marked the Kerns-Max-Haus’s transition from a family home to a guardian of local history. Today, the Kerns-Max-Haus stands proudly as the oldest house in Blankenloch. Its timber frame and updated features blend seamlessly. It’s a place where the echoes of the past resonate within the present.