Altonaer Museum

Current exhibitions

About the museum

Committed citizens founded the museum in 1863 in Altona, which at the time still belonged to the Danish monarchy; the first exhibition, with models, coins, paintings and everyday objects, was shown in a rear building on the Palmaille. In 1901 the museum moved into the stately new building on Museumstraße, and an extension wing was added in 1914.

The first full-time director, Otto Lehmann, favored vivid presentation over systematic arrangement: dioramas, models of houses and ships and staged living environments made the museum a model for many others, especially in Scandinavia. In 1939 the Jenisch Haus was added as a branch.

During World War II the main building was largely destroyed, but the evacuated collections survived for the most part. After reconstruction, the focus shifted to cultural history and art; a fire in 1980 again caused major losses. The children's department opened in 2006, and the redesigned entrance area in 2009.

The closure decided by the Hamburg Senate in 2010 was reversed after widespread protests. Since 2008 the museum has been part of the Stiftung Historische Museen Hamburg and today presents maritime history, Altona's urban development, rural domestic culture and changing special exhibitions.

Highlights

• Figurehead hall with numerous historic ship figureheads
• 17 Northern German farmhouse parlors and the walk-in Vierländer Kate cottage
• Lauenburger Raths-Apotheke, a pharmacy from the 18th century
• Eidophusikon cloud theater, a forerunner of cinema
• Children's book house and the hands-on exhibition "wunderkammer"
• Redesigned Säulenhalle (columned hall) with free admission

Permanent exhibitions

• Historische Schifffahrt – On the first floor, with figureheads, ship models and a ship's wheel to try out.
• Mythos Landleben und Bauernstuben – Northern German domestic culture with historic farmhouse parlors and the Vierländer Kate as a house within the house.
• Facetten der Altonaer Stadtentwicklung – How a fishing village became an important trading city on the Elbe.

Founded

1863

Operated by

Stiftung Historische Museen Hamburg

Director

Anja Dauschek

Admission & discounts

Free admission to the Säulenhalle. Free admission also for members of ICOM, the Museumsbund and the friends' association, among others.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours
• Easy-to-read materials
• Audio description: no information

Certified by "Reisen für Alle." Accessible main entrance with doorbell and automatic door, elevators to levels 1 and 2; the wunderkammer and Raths-Apotheke on the fourth floor only via stairlift (notify the ticket desk in advance). Free loan wheelchairs and folding stools, accessible parking space in front of the entrance. Tours for blind and deaf visitors and people with dementia through the Museumsdienst; short text in Easy Language.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Hands-on stations
• Stroller-friendly
• Baby changing facilities
• Playground / play area
• Kids’ birthday parties

On Sundays, drop-in painting and crafts program "Sonntagskinder" (ages 6 and up), family tours, fairy tale readings and cloud theater shows. Rallies for children (including a Morse code rally available at the ticket desk and the research rally "Wer, wie, Wasser" for ages 6 and up). The wunderkammer, with objects to touch and sort, is aimed at children who can read; there is also a play tunnel, beanbags and a reading corner in the farmhouse cottage. Children's birthday parties (2 hours, from ages 6–9 depending on the theme). Strollers are welcome but, because the rooms are narrow, should preferably be left in the stroller area in the Säulenhalle; baby changing stations in the restrooms.

Getting there & parking

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Restaurant: not available
• Museum shop

Museum café "Schmidtchen im Museum" (closed Tuesdays, with outdoor terrace, also accessible from Braunschweiger Straße). Museum shop, specialist library.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events
• Weddings / ceremonies

Up to 199 guests.

Figurehead hall (up to 190), Säulenhalle (up to 199 standing, 140 at tables), foyer (up to 150; popular for receptions after weddings at the nearby registry office), lecture hall (60) and Vierländer Kate (approx. 50); also outside opening hours.

Plan your visit