Der Rote Haubarg

About the museum

The Rote Haubarg near Witzwort on the Eiderstedt peninsula is one of the last examples of a special type of farmhouse. Haubarge are huge residential-barn houses with a high, pyramid-shaped roof, under which livestock, farmhands, and the household, as well as large quantities of grain, rapeseed, and hay, found room. The building type was brought to the region by Dutch Mennonites; of the originally around 400 Haubarge, only about 50 survive. The traditional construction date is 1647, but this is not documented; a map from 1679 already shows the building in its present form. The name first appears in the 18th century. Where the "red" comes from is unclear, since the house with its thatched roof is white.

Around 1800, the farm passed to the Husum family Asmussen; in 1859, two relatives set up a foundation for the benefit of the town of Husum. Since 1983, the estate has belonged to the Stiftung Nordfriesland. Today a restaurant and café occupy the former living quarters, and the rest of the house holds the museum.

The museum was reopened in 2024 with an unusual concept: there are no display cases, text panels, or media stations. Instead, an audio-play staging with around 40 loudspeakers lets the house and its objects tell their own story, from its construction and the legend of the devil to everyday life, the farming year, and life with the sea. In the park-like garden, an audio walk adds to the story. The offer is supported by the Stiftung Nordfriesland and the Museumsverbund Nordfriesland.

Highlights

• Object theater: audio play in four acts from around 40 loudspeakers
• Speaking exhibits such as a wagon wheel, threshing flail, and kerosene lamp
• Audio walk through the museum garden by smartphone
• Haubarg architecture with a massive thatched roof and square-plan construction
• Restaurant and café in the historic house

Permanent exhibition

• Objekt-Theater „Der Rote Haubarg erzählt“ – Immersive audio-play staging in four acts: the Haubarg and its objects narrate 400 years of life on the farm.

Operated by

Stiftung Nordfriesland

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Admission to the museum is free; donations are welcome.

Accessibility

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

From Husum, take the B5 toward Heide/Hamburg. About five kilometers south of Husum, turn at the inn "Vosskuhle" toward Simonsberg/Witzwort; the route is signposted. In the navigation device, it is better to enter "Sandberg" instead of "Sand". The site is also easy to reach via the cycle path network.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Restaurant

Restaurant with café in the Haubarg (terrace with 80 seats in summer). Headphones for the audio walk can be borrowed at the restaurant.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties

Family celebrations and gatherings in the restaurant; the "Peerstall" hall offers 60 seats. Inquiries go directly to the Haubarg.

Plan your visit