Deutsches Kartoffelmuseum

About the museum

The idea for the potato museum grew out of the Heimat- und Kulturkreis Fußgönheim (local heritage and culture society), founded in 1968. From 1980 the local history enthusiasts accompanied the annual opening of the early potato harvest with small exhibitions on the history of the tuber in the castle courtyard. The response led to the founding of a separate association in 1987; as early as 1988 it was able to set up a first museum in rooms of a bank across from the castle.

The municipality later acquired the synagogue, built in 1842 and rebuilt after a fire in 1901, which had seen no services since the Jewish community came to an end in 1928 and had been used as a grain store from the 1930s. In the mid-1990s the municipality and the association had the listed building restored with grants, donations and a great deal of volunteer labor; the windows, paint scheme and large rose window were reconstructed. The museum has used the building since 1997.

The tour follows the potato from its domestication in the Andes and its arrival in Europe, where it was first regarded as an ornamental plant, to its breakthrough as a staple food – with a look at Frederick the Great and the Palatinate as an early growing region. Other topics include breeding, pests, processing and use as a raw material, as well as easily confused plants such as the sweet potato and Jerusalem artichoke. A kitchen corner recalls the everyday life of earlier generations; larger farm machinery is on display in the neighboring agricultural museum.

Since July 2026 the museum has been temporarily closed after water damage. In the meantime, some exhibits can be seen on loan at the Regionalmuseum Oberhavel in Oranienburg.

Highlights

• Museum in the restored 1842 synagogue with its reconstructed rose window
• The potato's journey from the Andes to the Palatinate
• Curious potato with a bone grown into it
• Oil caricature of Frederick the Great from Ghana
• Old kitchen with household appliances of earlier generations

Permanent exhibitions

• Die Kartoffel – von den Anden in die Pfalz – Tour through the former synagogue on the origins, spread, cultivation, breeding and uses of the potato, complemented by a historic kitchen.

Founded

1988

Operated by

Deutsches Kartoffelmuseum Fußgönheim e. V.

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Free admission; donations welcome.

Accessibility

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

Kids & families

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

Getting there & parking

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

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

Books about the potato for sale, as well as spirits distilled from potatoes and Jerusalem artichokes.

Events & venue rental

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

Plan your visit