Freilichtmuseum Amerang

Current exhibitions

About the museum

The idea of a farmhouse museum for eastern Upper Bavaria goes back to Josef Bauer, an entrepreneur from Wasserburg and member of the German Bundestag, and the local heritage curator Theodor Heck, who campaigned for it from the mid-1960s. From 1972 the association Verein Bauernhausmuseum Ostoberbayern realized the project with a great deal of volunteer work and with grants from the districts, the heritage authorities, the state foundation and the Bezirk (regional authority). The first construction phase in Amerang opened on July 23, 1977.

Heck selected buildings he considered typical examples of particular regional house types; they were dismantled at their original sites and rebuilt in the museum. When the sponsoring association ran into financial difficulties, the Bezirk Oberbayern (Upper Bavaria district) took over the museum, which has been a branch of the Freilichtmuseum Glentleiten since January 1, 1982. The Häuslmannhof from Aschau, added in 2007, was the last major building for the time being; the former Bauernhausmuseum (farmhouse museum) now goes by the name Freilichtmuseum Amerang.

Today 17 buildings from eight Upper Bavarian districts stand on around four hectares, including the Mittermayerhof from 1525, the Holzmannhof from 1557, a large four-sided farmstead, a smithy, a sawmill and the Furthmühle mill. Themed exhibitions in individual houses explain grain processing, dairy farming, the wheelwright's trade and rural wall decoration. Craft days, courses, evening concerts and annually changing special exhibitions round out the program.

Highlights

• Mittermayerhof (1525) and Holzmannhof (1557) as the oldest buildings
• Furthmühle mill with hands-on milling models
• Exhibition on dairy farming with a model cow for milking
• Sawmill, smithy and wheelwright's house
• Bee house and historic wind pump
• Free audio guide in German and English

Permanent exhibitions

• Historische Gebäude des östlichen Oberbayern – 17 original farmsteads, barns, mills and workshops with their furnishings show rural living and working in the Chiemgau and Rupertiwinkel regions.
• Thematische Ausstellungen in den Museumsgebäuden – Small exhibitions in the Furthmühle mill, the Mittermayerhof and the wheelwright's house explain grain processing, wall decoration, dairy farming and the wheelwright's trade, some with hands-on stations.

Founded

1977

Operated by

Bezirk Oberbayern

Director

Claudia Richartz

Admission & discounts

Free admission for children up to 5, visitors on their birthday and members of the friends' association. Dogs free.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials
• Audio description: no information

Step-free main entrance via a ramp (6% gradient); level grounds, the historic buildings are mostly accessible on the first floor, though some door thresholds, ramps and gravel paths require care. Loan wheelchair, accessible restroom in the entrance area, two accessible parking spaces near the entrance; shop and restaurant accessible. Easy tour with short distances; most programs can be requested in plain language. Detailed information via "Reisen für Alle" (Travel for All).

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Hands-on stations

Illustrated children's museum guide "Bienenhaus und Wasserrad" (Beehouse and Water Wheel) in some farmsteads (also for sale), explorer bag with puzzle booklet and objects to touch for families with children aged 8 and up (€10 deposit), stilt walking, explorer passport. During the Bavarian school holidays on Wednesdays, a hands-on program for families (age 6 and up, no registration). Free handcart rental at the ticket desk.

Getting there & parking

A8 exit Rohrdorf or Bernau, via Halfing; or take the B304 and follow the signs for "Bauernhausmuseum Amerang".

Amenities & dining

• Restaurant
• Museum shop

Museum restaurant with shady beer garden (regional dishes, Brotzeit snacks, cake; table reservations directly with the landlady); bringing your own Brotzeit is allowed at the picnic areas. Museum shop "Heimatwerk". Free e-bike charging station at the covered bicycle rack. Dogs welcome on a leash (not in the new exhibition room).

Events & venue rental

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

Plan your visit