Freilichtmuseum Hessenpark

Current exhibitions

About the museum

In 1974, the Hessian state government decided to create a central open-air museum for all of Hesse near Neu-Anspach in the Taunus. After several years of construction, the Hessenpark officially opened in 1978. The aim was to save endangered rural buildings from demolition and to bring the everyday life of earlier generations to life.

Since then, more than a hundred historic buildings have been dismantled, relocated, and faithfully rebuilt on around 65 hectares. They are arranged by region of origin into building groups such as North, Central, East, and South Hesse as well as Rhine-Main. There are also workshops, mills, churches, two synagogues, and a re-created market square with an inn and hotel.

The Hessenpark sees itself as a living museum: craftspeople demonstrate traditional techniques, historic crop plants and rare livestock breeds are kept in the fields and pastures, and special exhibitions in individual houses explore topics of everyday history. Courses, museum theater, and an extensive educational program round out the visit.

The museum is run by Freilichtmuseum Hessenpark gGmbH, an institution of the State of Hesse; the Hessische Uhrmacherschule (Hessian clockmaking school) is also based on the grounds.

Highlights

• More than 100 relocated buildings from all over Hesse
• Market square with the historic Gasthaus Zum Adler inn
• Craft demonstrations, mills, and workshops
• Old livestock breeds and historic kitchen gardens
• Churches and a registry office for weddings in the museum
• Half-price admission on Fridays

Permanent exhibitions

• Lebendige Vielfalt – Biodiversität im Hessenpark – Exhibition in the Festes Haus from Ransbach about animals, plants, and habitats in the museum and the role of agriculture in biodiversity.

Founded

1974

Operated by

Freilichtmuseum Hessenpark gGmbH (Land Hessen)

Director

Jens Scheller (Geschäftsführer)

Visitors per year

approx. 244,318 (2017)

Admission & discounts

Free for recipients of basic income support, members of the friends' association, and ICOM members. Handcarts available for a fee at the ticket desk.

Accessibility

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

Loaner wheelchairs at the museum ticket desk; hilly terrain and cobblestones, companion recommended. Accessible buildings include the entrance building, the stable barn from Anspach, the synagogue from Nentershausen, the threshing hall, and the sawmill; elevator in the stable barn from Asterode. Many historic houses only accessible via steps; the East Hesse building group is not recommended. Bookable tours for wheelchair users, in Easy Language (Leichte Sprache), for deaf and hard-of-hearing visitors, and tactile tours for blind and visually impaired visitors.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Stroller-friendly
• Baby changing facilities
• Playground / play area
• Kids’ birthday parties

Family tours, courses, and children's birthday parties can be booked; scavenger hunts for children aged 8 and up available for download. Handcarts for a fee at the ticket desk, several picnic areas, playground in the Northern Hesse building group. Paths mostly passable with a stroller, partly cobblestones.

Getting there & parking

Access from the A 5 is signposted.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Restaurant
• Museum shop

Wirtshaus Zum Adler at the market square, Landhotel Zum Hessenpark with restaurant, Martinsklause (1950s-style snack bar, seasonal). Shops at the market square.

Events & venue rental

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

Registry office in the house from Münchausen, four churches for weddings and baptisms (up to approx. 175 people in the church from Kohlgrund). Company outings and celebrations via buchung@hessenpark.de; event rooms also at the Landhotel Zum Hessenpark.

Plan your visit