Eichsfeldmuseum

Current exhibitions

About the museum

The museum opened in 1932 in Heiligenstadt's former Jesuit college. The foundation of its collection is the bird and natural history collection of physician Carl Wilhelm Strecker, which he bequeathed to the town and which was first made accessible to grammar school students in the boys' school from 1889.

The four-story Baroque building was erected after the great town fire of 1739 to plans by Johann Christoph Heinemann. After closing during World War II, the museum was set up again from 1948 and renovated several times in the following decades. In 2017 the former Eichsfelder Heimatmuseum (local history museum) was renamed Eichsfeldmuseum; a lecture hall was added in 2023.

Today, together with the Eichsfeldbibliothek (Eichsfeld library), the museum holds the largest coherent collection on the region's cultural history. Permanent exhibitions cover the history of Heiligenstadt, the Eichsfeld in the 19th century, and the Palm Sunday procession, which is recognized as intangible cultural heritage; the Strecker collection has been newly presented in a child-friendly way since 2024. The museum is currently being gradually redesigned, and an exhibition on the identity and development of the Eichsfeld is planned.

Highlights

• Baroque Jesuit college from the 18th century
• Strecker bird and natural history collection, newly presented with interactive features
• History of the town of Heiligenstadt
• Palm Sunday procession as intangible cultural heritage
• Art from the Eichsfeld

Permanent exhibitions

• Heiligenstädter Stadtgeschichte – The development of the Eichsfeld's capital from its beginnings to the present.
• Das Eichsfeld im 19. Jahrhundert – Umbrüche, Aufbrüche, Kontinuitäten – Rural everyday life, crafts, and faith in a region between tradition and emerging modernity.
• Strecker’sche Naturaliensammlung – The historic bird and animal collection that formed the nucleus of the museum, with hands-on stations on biodiversity and nature conservation.

Founded

1932

Operated by

Stadt Heilbad Heiligenstadt

Admission & discounts

Free for preschool groups, school classes, and school project groups from the district of Eichsfeld, and for members of the Heiligenstädter Geschichts- und Museumsverein (history and museum association). Tours for children and school pupils €10 per group.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• 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 glass entrance on the gable side in the Baroque garden, elevator to all floors, accessible restroom with baby changing area on the first floor, accessible parking space in the Baroque garden (access via Ratsgasse), folding stools at the entrance. According to the website, the museum is not accessible while renovation work in the entrance area is ongoing.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Stroller-friendly
• Baby changing facilities

Children's audio tour "Hör mal…" (Listen Up…), created by children, free via flyer. Bookable projects for children's and school groups, e.g. everyday life 200 years ago (ages 6 and up), photo scavenger hunt (ages 10 and up), bird collection (ages 5 and up) and a creative project. Elevator available; changing area in the accessible restroom on the first floor.

Getting there & parking

Amenities & dining

• Café: not available
• Restaurant: not available
• Museum shop

Reference library on Eichsfeld history.

Events & venue rental

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

Plan your visit