Haus der Geschichte

Current exhibitions

About the museum

The impetus came from Chancellor Helmut Kohl, who announced in his 1982 policy statement that a collection on German history since 1945 would be created in Bonn. Hartmut and Ingeborg Rüdiger won a nationwide architecture competition in 1986, and construction began in 1989 on what is now the Museumsmeile. In 1990 the Bundestag passed a law establishing the Stiftung Haus der Geschichte der Bundesrepublik Deutschland as a foundation directly under federal authority.

The museum opened on June 14, 1994, and quickly became one of the most visited museums in Germany. Alongside its Bonn headquarters, the foundation runs the Zeitgeschichtliches Forum Leipzig as well as the Tränenpalast and the Museum in der Kulturbrauerei in Berlin; in Bonn, its offerings also include guided tours of the Kanzlerbungalow (Chancellor’s Bungalow) and the Palais Schaumburg.

After more than 30 years and some 14 million visits, the first permanent exhibition closed in fall 2024 and was completely redesigned at a cost of around €25 million. Since December 2025, the new show “Du bist Teil der Geschichte” has told the story of Germany’s development into a stable democracy with a stronger focus on personal experiences, also addressing current issues such as migration, digitalization and climate change. The collection ranges from everyday objects to state documents.

Highlights

• New permanent exhibition “Du bist Teil der Geschichte” with more than 3,800 objects
• Original of the 1949 Basic Law (Grundgesetz)
• Homemade escape aircraft from the GDR
• Ford Transit of an immigrant family
• Museum garden with a maze and table tennis
• Free admission

Permanent exhibitions

• Du bist Teil der Geschichte. Deutschland seit 1945 – Redesigned permanent exhibition that tells contemporary history since 1945 through personal experiences and everyday objects – with a basic rights trail, a family trail and a section on current issues.

Founded

1994

Operated by

Stiftung Haus der Geschichte der Bundesrepublik Deutschland

Director

Harald Biermann (Präsident der Stiftung)

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Free admission to the museum and all exhibitions; public guided tours are also free (registration required).

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits
• Sign language tours
• Easy-to-read materials
• Audio description

Exhibitions largely wheelchair-accessible; elevators in the foyer and stairwell; accessible restroom in the basement; two accessible parking spaces on Rheinweg and more in the underground parking; pick-up service from the subway stop; 10 tactile maps and 17 tactile objects; eZwayZ navigation app; induction loops at all media stations; German Sign Language (DGS) videos, audio description and an audio guide in Easy Language (Leichte Sprache); guided visits in plain language can be booked.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Hands-on stations
• Stroller-friendly
• Baby changing facilities
• Kids’ birthday parties

Family trail with the “Klotzis” mascots at 24 hands-on stations (ages 4 and up, about 1 hour, free), Basic Law trail with a stamp card, open studio on the first Sunday of the month, and children’s birthday parties for ages 6 to 12 (1.5 hours, guide free of charge). Strollers are welcome in the exhibition; baby changing room in the basement, nursing room in the foyer. Please do not carry children on your shoulders.

Getting there & parking

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Restaurant: not available
• Museum shop
• Coat check
• Lockers
• Wi-Fi

Café “Zwischenzeit” (Tue–Sun 11:00–17:00, card payment only); museum shop Tue–Sun 10:30–18:00; free cloakroom and lockers with combination locks.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Corporate events

Up to 1,000 guests.

Foyer (150–1,000 people), hall (200–300), conference room (30–80) and seminar room (18–45) for receptions, conferences, concerts and film screenings; catering through the museum café.

Plan your visit