Envision a time capsule holding the stories of Ratzeburg. That’s essentially what the Volkskundemuseum – Museen des Ratzeburger Landes is. It is located in Schoonberg. This museum captures the cultural identity of a unique region.
The Volkskundemuseum des Ratzeburger Landes began as the antiquities collection. The collection started in 1903 by the Association for Antiquities. This association represented the Principality of Ratzeburg. Teacher Fritz Buddin played a vital role in its development.
Originally, in 1747, the building at An der Kirche 8/9 housed the Kusterschule. Later, from 1846 to 1929, it served as a girls’ school. In 1931, it became the home museum. It housed Buddin’s collection. The reunification of Mecklenburg’s regions in 1934 supported the need for documentation. This documentation preserved the cultural identity of the former Principality of Ratzeburg. Ratzeburg was part of Mecklenburg-Strelitz.
Since 2017, the museum has been located in the renovated Koch’sche Haus. The Koch’sche Haus is located at Markt 1. These premises offer better accessibility. The permanent exhibition is titled “Between Bishop’s Chair and Homeland Movement”. It receives good reviews.
The Volkskundemuseum has two locations. The first is the Heimatmuseum in Schoonberg near the Laurentiuskirche since 1931. The second location is the Bechelsdorfer Schulzenhof open-air site since 1972.
The open-air site at the edge of Schoonberg was created in 1962. It was created by relocating and reconstructing the Schulzenhaus from 1525. They also reconstructed the barn. The original location was Bechelsdorf. Both half-timbered buildings have thatched roofs. A bake house was reconstructed in 2004. The site also displays agricultural equipment.
Since 2004, a private support association has operated both facilities. The city of Schoonberg transferred the facilities to them. Medium-sized regional companies are members of the support association.
The museum explores themes. These themes include the Bishopric of Ratzeburg. It explores the town of Schoonberg as the seat of the bishops. The museum presents craftsmen in a city. It highlights folk art in the countryside. Traditional costumes are displayed. These costumes represent advertising and identity. It shows cultural exchange between villages and the Hanseatic city of Lubeck. The museum addresses difficult topics. These topics include the history of the Heimatbund itself. It shows the civic and workers’ singing clubs. Comparing folk art from the Nazi era is also done. Many museum objects have been elaborately restored.
The Bechelsdorfer Schulzenhaus was relocated to Schoonberg in the 1960s. It forms the core of the open-air site. It was planned as the first open-air museum in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. The barn from the Schulzenstelle in Bechelsdorf was moved to Schoonberg. The Bechelsdorfer Schulzenhaus has been expanded since its construction around 1525. The current state of the reconstructed Low German hall house in Schoonberg corresponds to the farmhouses in the former Principality of Ratzeburg around 1800.
From May to October, the museum has a baking day. It usually occurs on the first Saturday of the month. Baking starts at 11:00 a.m. They mainly bake natural sourdough bread. Bread sales start around 2:00 p.m. Coffee is also available.
The Volkskundemuseum des Ratzeburger Landes began collecting folklore objects in 1901. The museum’s collection includes folklore objects. It is open from May to October, Tuesday to Thursday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. Visits can be arranged.
As you leave the Volkskundemuseum, consider the legacy. This museum preserves the stories and traditions of the Ratzeburg region. It connects us to the past. It enriches our understanding of cultural identity.