Decided to spend his retirement in Stuttgart did Theodor Heuss. He had a bungalow built in a sought-after hillside location. It was near Villa Porsche. Today we stand before the Theodor-Heuss-Haus. It is more than just a building. It’s a memorial to West Germany’s first Federal President.
Theodor Heuss was a social liberal journalist and politician. The German Bundestag established the President Theodor Heuss House Foundation in 1994. The aim was to commemorate his life and work. The foundation works to promote understanding of recent history.
Heuss moved into this house in 1959 after his second term. After his death in 1963, the house became the Theodor Heuss Archive. This archive was dissolved in 1971. The house was then rented to private individuals for years.
In 1994, the German Bundestag established two foundations. These foundations were dedicated to German statesmen. One was for Willy Brandt. The other was the President Theodor Heuss House Foundation. It was modeled after similar foundations.
The Theodor Heuss House Foundation acquired Heuss’ former home. It was remodeled and extended with an annex. The Stuttgart architect Behnisch & Partner designed the changes. A permanent exhibition about Theodor Heuss was displayed from 2002 to 2021. The house was renovated before reopening in May 2023. Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier reopened it.
The Theodor-Heuss-Haus isn’t just bricks and mortar. It’s a journey through democracy and liberalism. The Foundation focuses on civic education. It promotes political and historical research. It maintains the Theodor Heuss Archive.
Inside the Theodor-Heuss-Haus, you can see original furnishings. They reflect the style of the late 1950s. The historical exhibition shows the life and work of Theodor Heuss. It also highlights his wife Elly Heuss-Knapp. She was a social activist and politician. Another exhibition presents the functions of the German Federal President. It explains the German constitutional framework.
The Foundation publishes books. One series is Zeithistorische Impulse. It includes historical research. Another is Theodor Heuss. Stuttgarter Ausgabe. This is a scholarly edition of Heuss’ letters, speeches, and writings. The Letters series has eight volumes. They offer selections from his 60,000 letters.
The Theodor-Heuss-Haus hosts about forty events each year. Most take place here. They include lectures and workshops. Seminars are offered for adults and students. The Foundation awards the Theodor Heuss student prize. It recognizes achievements in history.
The Theodor-Heuss-Haus is publicly funded. It is independent of political parties. The Executive Board and Board of Trustees lead it. Former Minister of Justice Sabine Leutheusser-Schnarrenberger heads the Board of Trustees. Ralf Dahrendorf was the founding chairman.
Theodor Heuss’s legacy lives on here. This house reminds us of his contributions. It encourages us to understand our history. It inspires us to value democracy and liberalism. Take a moment to reflect on the life of a man who helped shape a nation.