Försterhaus Reute

About the museum

The Försterhaus complex in the village centre of Reute, about ten kilometres north-west of Freiburg, consists of a two-storey half-timbered residential house and a barn from the early 18th century, as well as a tobacco barn from the 1950s. It received its name when, after the castle burned down around the middle of the 18th century, the forester took over supervision of the village and the house thereby acquired a kind of town hall function. After generations in private ownership, the municipality bought the property, which has been listed since 2009, in 2011.

With funding from the state and federal government, the farmstead was converted into a cultural centre; a new extension makes all areas accessible without barriers. The Försterhaus opened in 2019. It is run on a voluntary basis by the association Kultur im Försterhaus, founded in 2015, which also organises concerts, readings, cabaret and festivals.

The house combines three collections from the village: the local history museum, founded in 1984 on the initiative of the then mayor Franz Kury, which was previously housed in the attic of the old school and now shows agriculture, crafts and village life in the barn and tobacco barn; the doll and toy collection of longtime Reute resident Hiltrud Münker with around 500 dolls and 70 dollhouse rooms, kitchens and shops in the former residential house; and the art room, which goes back to a donation by the painter Reiner Strub and shows three changing exhibitions a year.

Highlights

• Hiltrud Münker doll and toy collection with around 500 dolls
• Around 70 doll's rooms, doll's kitchens and doll's shops
• Local history museum with farm tools in the open tobacco barn
• Art room in the attic of the barn with works by Reiner Strub
• Listed farmstead from the early 18th century

Permanent exhibitions

• Puppen- und Spielzeugsammlung Hiltrud Münker – On two floors of the former residential house, around 500 dolls, 70 doll's rooms, kitchens and shops as well as numerous toys show the living worlds of the 19th and 20th centuries.
• Heimatmuseum Reute – Tools, household goods, clothing, documents and photographs from farming Reute; agriculture in the open tobacco barn, plus changing themes in the “Schaufenster” (display window).

Founded

2019

Operated by

Kultur im Försterhaus e. V. (Gebäude: Gemeinde Reute)

Admission & discounts

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking: no information
• 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

The grounds are barrier-free; an extension provides access to all areas, with a lift and an accessible toilet.

Kids & families

Occasional family afternoons, for example at Easter; at Easter, chicks hatch in the display window of the local history museum.

Getting there & parking

The Försterhaus is located in the village centre of Reute on Hauptstraße.

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Events & venue rental

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

Up to 60 guests.

Event room “s'Muerheiners” (80 m²) on the ground floor of the barn for up to 60 people, with a kitchenette, projector and access to the courtyard and garden; also for civil wedding ceremonies. Rental via the municipality of Reute (foersterhaus@reute.de, tel. 07641 9172-30).

Plan your visit