Gorch-Fock-Haus
Fisherman's house from 1880 in Finkenwerder, childhood home of the writers Gorch Fock, Jakob and Rudolf Kinau, today a volunteer-run local history museum.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The house on the Neßdeich was built in 1880 as a typical fisherman's house by the sea fisherman Butendeich. Around 1883, Carl Peter Kinau bought it from a daughter of the builder; in 1895 Heinrich and Metta Kinau inherited it and lived there with their children. Johann Kinau grew up here; he became known under the name Gorch Fock as the "poet of the North Sea" (novel "Seefahrt ist Not"), as did his brothers Jakob and Rudolf, who also wrote.
At dike level, the original furnishings of the Kinau living room from 1880 are preserved, supplemented by a kitchen with an iron "English" stove and a small bedroom. In the attic there are two rooms for lectures and exhibitions, a documentation collection on Finkenwerder, the books of the Kinaus and other Finkenwerder authors, and an alcove with wallpaper remnants from before 1916 preserved behind glass.
After a comprehensive renovation with federal funds in 2017, the house is run as a local history museum on a volunteer basis by the Heimatvereinigung Finkenwerder e. V. (Finkenwerder Heritage Association, founded 1922). It is meant to commemorate not only the Kinau family but also Finkenwerder and its people.
Highlights
- Original living room of the Kinau family from 1880
- Kitchen with iron stove and small bedroom
- Alcove with wallpaper remnants from before 1916
- Book collection of the Kinaus and Finkenwerder authors
- Documentation collection on the history of Finkenwerder
Permanent exhibition
- Elternhaus der Kinaus – Original furnished living room of the Kinau fishing family from 1880, plus kitchen and bedroom; in the attic, books, documents and exhibition rooms on Finkenwerder.
- Operated by
- Heimatvereinigung Finkenwerder e. V.
Admission & discounts
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Kids & families
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
HADAG ferry 62 or 64 from Landungsbrücken or Teufelsbrück, then bus 150; from Altona station, bus 150; from Harburg station, bus 146.
By car
No on-site parking at the museum.
Due to the location on the dike, there is no parking at the house.
Amenities & dining
After tours, coffee and cake are available on request in the guest and club room on the garden level.
Events & venue rental
- Weddings / ceremonies
Marriages can take place in the historic setting (registration with the Bezirksamt Hamburg-Mitte); information on the rooms from Peter Voss (040 20 94 86 86).
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| Good to know | Tours with a talk about the house, the Kinau family and the history of Finkenwerder; for groups on request also a tour of Finkenwerder that ends at the Gorch-Fock-Haus. |
