“Can you smell that? It’s the scent of ink and history mixing in the air.” We are standing before the Benary-Speicher Druckereimuseum und Schaudepot. This building is more than just bricks and mortar. It is a portal to Erfurt’s industrious past.
The Benary-Speicher was built in 1887 as a seed storage facility. It belonged to the Benary company. This company was significant in the field of seed breeding. Erfurt’s 19th-century economic success was partly due to commercial horticulture. Benary was a key player.
Now, let’s step inside the Benary-Speicher Druckereimuseum und Schaudepot. The original wooden structure and a historic sack hoist still stand. They offer a glimpse into the 19th-century storage architecture. You will get a sense of the production history of Erfurt’s important horticultural businesses.
Since 2001, the Benary-Speicher has housed the Druckereimuseum and the Schaudepot. Both belong to the Erfurt Museums. The Druckereimuseum showcases historical printing. It uses numerous exhibits. Visitors gain insight into the techniques of book printing and artistic hand printing.
The Schaudepot displays cultural artifacts. These items come from the collections of Erfurt’s five museums. Objects include the South Seas collection. It comes from the Museum of Thuringian Folk Culture. Also see the Kämmerer collection from the Angermuseum. The Schaudepot makes these treasures accessible to visitors. The Benary-Speicher ensures they are well-preserved.
Notice the building’s architecture. The Benary-Speicher is a four-story brick building with a clinker facade. The wooden construction inside is well-preserved. It serves as a key feature of the Speicher building. Materials create a contrast between old and new. This gives a harmonious overall impression.
Originally, Ernst Samuel Benary, a Jewish art and merchant gardener, had the storage building constructed in 1879. It was mainly used for storing and processing flower seeds.
Take the lift up. A new passenger lift was installed in the old freight elevator shaft. The listed sack hoist is fully preserved. It is integrated into the exhibition concept on the ground floor.
In the ground floor, historical printing machines are exhibited. There is also a seminar room. The first floor showcases the Kämmerer and South Seas collections. The upper floors store museum objects and equipment.
The Benary-Speicher Druckereimuseum und Schaudepot stands as a testament to Erfurt’s past. It celebrates the city’s economic success. It highlights its horticultural heritage. It preserves its cultural treasures. As you leave, remember the story of seeds, printing, and preservation. It echoes within these historic walls of the Benary-Speicher.