Brandenburg-Preußen Museum

About the museum

The Berlin private banker Ehrhardt Bödecker (1925–2016), who had built Weberbank into one of Germany's major private banks, conceived and financed the museum in retirement. It opened in September 2000 in Wustrau at the southern end of Lake Ruppin. The original exhibition saw itself as a deliberately positive tribute to the Kingdom of Prussia and the Empire.

Since 2013, his son Andreas Bödecker has led the non-profit Ehrhardt-Bödecker-Stiftung (foundation), which runs the museum. Under him, the main exhibition was fundamentally revised over several years in order to enable a balanced presentation that leaves visitors to form their own judgment. Annual special exhibitions – for example on Muslims in Brandenburg-Prussia, on Poland and Prussia, or on the end of the war in 1918 – as well as lecture series are meant to make the museum a place of discussion.

After the 25th anniversary in fall 2025, the new main exhibition "Kopfgeburt | Preußen" opened on March 29, 2026. It approaches Prussia in thematic rooms such as efficiency, pragmatism, and innovation and, with exhibits, media stations, and an installation, asks about judgments and prejudices regarding the state. About 2,000 school pupils use the museum education offerings each year; since 2023, an event building in the park has complemented the house.

Highlights

• Main exhibition "Kopfgeburt | Preußen" (since 2026)
• Thematic rooms on efficiency, pragmatism, and innovation
• Listening station on the mindset of Otto von Bismarck
• Located in the historic village of Wustrau on Lake Ruppin
• Lecture series and podcast "Preußisch Blau"

Permanent exhibitions

• Kopfgeburt | Preußen – The new main exhibition approaches Brandenburg-Prussia thematically and questions common judgments and prejudices through exhibits, media stations, and an installation.

Founded

2000

Operated by

Ehrhardt-Bödecker-Stiftung

Director

Christian Arpasi

Admission & discounts

Free admission: Free admission on the first Sunday of every month (Museum Sunday)

Public tours are included in admission; booked tours cost €50 (double tour, also with a tour of the village, €75) in addition to admission. School programs €3 per person.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: not available
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

Step-free access via a 10 m long ramp (10% gradient); main exhibition at ground level, special exhibitions reachable only by stairs. Walker available on request, seating, handrails on all stairs. One accessible parking space about 100 m from the entrance.

Kids & families

• Baby changing facilities

Holiday program for after-school care groups and a weekly children's club; craft instructions on the YouTube channel. Baby changing table available.

Getting there & parking

A24 exit Neuruppin-Süd, toward Fehrbellin to Dammkrug, then L164 via Langen to Wustrau; from the east take the B167 to Herzberg and there the L164 toward Fehrbellin.

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Corporate events

Up to 60 guests.

Event building in the park (since 2023) for conferences, seminars, training sessions, and team events for up to 60 people, museum visit included; full day €400, half day €250 (net). Catering and supporting program on request.

Plan your visit