Imagine stepping back in time seven hundred years. That is how far back the history goes that is explored at the Museum Lichtenberg im Stadthaus. This isn’t just any museum. It is an information, cultural, and educational hub. The Museum Lichtenberg im Stadthaus invites everyone to explore Lichtenberg’s history and present from many angles.
The Museum Lichtenberg im Stadthaus is located in the former town hall. The town hall dates back to the municipality of Boxhagen-Rummelsburg. The building was opened in 1901. Today only the western part of the building remains. The central and eastern parts were destroyed in 1945 during an allied bombing.
After the war, the remaining section was repaired. In 1960, a smaller eastern addition was built on the old foundation. This preserved building became home to the Lichtenberg district council.
In 2006, the Museum Lichtenberg im Stadthaus moved here. The building ensemble was renovated between 2003 and 2006 for 3.3 million euros. The restored building now houses offices, archive, project spaces, and exhibition rooms.
Inside the Museum Lichtenberg im Stadthaus, you will find a permanent exhibition. It opened in 2021. The exhibition aims to promote equal cultural participation. The Museum Lichtenberg im Stadthaus encourages visitors to actively participate and shape its future.
Besides the permanent exhibition, the Museum Lichtenberg im Stadthaus hosts special exhibitions and events. These focus on specific aspects of the district. The museum also has an extensive archive. It includes documents, testimonies, objects, photos, and a reference library.
The Lichtenberg district decided to create a Lichtenberg home archive on July 10, 1933. The aim was to collect photographs, create a library about Lichtenberg, and gather documents. The population was called upon to actively help expand the collection. Unfortunately, the collection was largely lost in a fire caused by an air bomb in 1944.
After German reunification, the collection was preserved. It became the Heimatmuseum Lichtenberg. In 2001, the collections from Lichtenberg and Hohenschönhausen were merged. This led to the search for a new location. That location is where we stand now.
The Museum Lichtenberg im Stadthaus boasts a collection of over 1000 objects. There are also over 120 meters of files and thousands of photographs. The museum expands its collections through donations, loans, purchases, and its own research.
The Museum Lichtenberg im Stadthaus also has its own small archive. You can find literature, documents, and photographs sorted by Lichtenberg districts. A visit to the archive is possible by appointment.
Christine Steer was the director of the museum until the end of September 2012. Historian Thomas Thiele curated the new permanent exhibition. Since December 1, 2021, Anna Maria Katz has been the museum director.
The Förderkreis Museum Lichtenberg im Stadthaus e. V. supports the museum. It unites people interested in Lichtenberg’s history. It also contributes significantly to the museum’s public relations.
The Museum Lichtenberg im Stadthaus invites you to delve into the district’s past. Explore its exhibits and participate in shaping its future. Don’t miss the chance to discover the hidden stories within these walls. It is a journey through time that you won’t soon forget.