Handweberei „Henni Jaensch-Zeymer“

About the museum

The weaver Henni Jaensch (1904–1998) learned her craft from Else Mögelin in the artists' colony of Gildenhall near Neuruppin and founded her own hand weaving workshop in 1927. After years in Rangsdorf, she moved with her looms to Geltow in 1939, where she took over a vacant country inn together with its residence. The former ballroom became the workshop; sheep were kept in the garden and flax was grown.

Even in East Germany, the Webhof remained a private business. Henni Jaensch-Zeymer exhibited at home and abroad and in 1964 received the "Gute Form" (Good Design) award for her tablecloth "LD." In 1987 Ulla Schünemann, who had grown up at the Webhof, took over the workshop. After the currency union, business collapsed and almost all employees had to leave.

In 1992 the weaving workshop opened with public funding as an "Aktives Museum" (Active Museum): since then, visitors have been able to watch the weavers at work on 16 historic hand looms. The buildings, erected around 1750 and 1850, are protected monuments; since 2008 a café has revived the old inn tradition. The family business is now carried on by the next generation and repeatedly serves as a location for film and television.

Highlights

• 16 original hand looms, 200 to 300 years old, in ongoing production
• Watch the weavers at work over their shoulders
• Film from the 1990s about the founder Henni Jaensch-Zeymer
• Display boards and models on the weaver's craft
• Linen shop with hand-woven fabrics and café in the listed Webhof

Permanent exhibitions

• Aktives Museum Handweberei – Workshop with 16 historic hand looms on which production still takes place, complemented by display boards, models, and a film about the founder.

Founded

1992

Operated by

Handweberei „Henni Jaensch-Zeymer“, Inh. Ulla Schünemann (Familienbetrieb)

Admission & discounts

Two-day weaving courses from €270, one-day spinning courses €120 (by advance registration only).

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: not available
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials
• Audio description: no information

One step of about 5 cm at the entrance (door width 123 cm), the workshop is wheelchair-accessible; no accessible restroom. Tools and materials may be touched, many information boards and pictures, easy-to-understand information; staff always on site. Certified for guests with mobility and sensory impairments as well as learning difficulties.

Kids & families

• Hands-on stations

In the workshop you can watch weaving up close; tools and materials may be touched, and trial weaving is possible during group tours. Children from age 6 pay the reduced admission.

Getting there & parking

The Webhof is located in the Geltow district of the municipality of Schwielowsee between Potsdam and Werder (Havel).

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Restaurant: not available
• Museum shop

Café in the Webhof with homemade cake, its own lemonade, and small dishes (self-service outdoors); linen shop with hand-woven fabrics.

Events & venue rental

By arrangement, the café hosts celebrations, and for groups also lunch or a coffee and cake table.

Plan your visit