Gießkannenmuseum

About the museum

The idea arose in the city of Gießen's ideas competition for the 2014 State Garden Show: a citizen suggested giving the city, whose name recalls watering (“Gießen”), a museum of watering cans. The artists' group gärtnerpflichten, which developed art and outreach projects in the run-up to the garden show, took up the idea, and in spring 2011 the museum was officially founded.

At first the collection was a guest in vacant premises, first in the Marktwärterhäuschen, then in the Galerie Neustädter Tor. At the end of September 2017, it moved into a converted shop unit at Sonnenstraße 3, near the Botanical Garden, the Museum für Gießen and the weekly market. The temporary project has become a permanent institution run by the university city of Gießen, looked after by gärtnerpflichten with student helpers; a friends' association founded in 2015 supports the work.

The holdings are based almost entirely on donations and permanent loans from Gießen and many other countries. They range from worn children's cans through designer pieces and professional tools to a French outdoor watering can from the late 18th century. For each object, the story of its previous owners is asked for; all pieces can be viewed online with a photo and background. A selection is shown in the permanent exhibition and in changing themed presentations, complemented by art actions and guest appearances of the museum at other locations.

Highlights

• Watering cans from four centuries, from children's cans to design objects
• French outdoor watering can from the late 18th century
• Personal provenance stories for every donated object
• Artistically altered watering can donated by Daniel Spoerri
• Free public tours on Saturdays

Permanent exhibition

• Gießkannen-Dauerausstellung – Selected watering vessels from four centuries – antiques, designer cans, curiosities and everyday cans – with the stories of their donors.

Founded

2011

Operated by

Universitätsstadt Gießen (Betreuung: Künstlergruppe gärtnerpflichten)

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Admission is free.

Accessibility

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

According to the museum, access to the museum is barrier-free.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

In downtown Gießen near the Botanical Garden, the Museum für Gießen and the weekly market.

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit