Haus Posen, Währungsmuseum

About the museum

Haus Posen belonged to a barracks complex that opened in 1934 as the Rothwesten airfield and served as accommodation for enlisted men. After World War II, American forces took over the site. In 1947 the US military governor Lucius D. Clay sought a secluded place where the basics of a currency reform for the three Western zones could be worked out. The choice fell on Haus Posen, which was secured with barbed wire as "Building Number One" and equipped with its own kitchen and laundry.

From April 20 to June 8, 1948, German finance experts worked here together with representatives of the Western Allies in the "Rothwesten Conclave" under strict secrecy. The driving force on the American side was the young economist Edward A. Tenenbaum, after whom the access road was named in 2012. Because of the secrecy, the events were forgotten for a long time; the State Office for Monument Preservation placed the house under monument protection in 2007.

Today the Museumsverein Währungsreform 1948 e.V. (Currency Reform Museum Association) maintains the house and shows an exhibition on the creation of the D-Mark in the original rooms. On display are, among other things, the original negotiating table, the new money and the wooden crates in which it was secretly brought in from the USA. The exhibition continues up to the Berlin Blockade, the economic miracle (Wirtschaftswunder), the monetary union of 1990 and the euro.

Highlights

• Original site of the 1948 Rothwesten Conclave
• Original negotiating table from the Kassel state central bank
• New money and original wooden crates from the USA
• Introductory lecture at every opening date
• Café in the style of the 1950s

Permanent exhibition

• Währungsreform 1948 und das Konklave von Rothwesten – In the original rooms, the exhibition shows the background, participants and consequences of the currency reform up to the introduction of the euro.

Operated by

Museumsverein Währungsreform 1948 e.V.

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Free admission; a donation is requested to help maintain the house.

Accessibility

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

Drive via Fuldatal-Simmershausen toward Rothwesten; before Rothwesten turn right off the federal road and follow the sign "Währungsmuseum". Turn left onto Sonnenallee, after about 500 m turn right onto Edward-Tenenbaum-Straße, and after about 300 m you will reach Haus Posen.

Amenities & dining

• Café

Visitor café in the style of the 1950s during opening hours; closed during the summer holidays.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit