Haus Schulenburg

Current exhibitions

About the museum

Between 1913 and 1915, the Belgian architect and designer Henry van de Velde designed a residence, complete with furnishings and garden, for the Gera textile manufacturer Paul Schulenburg and his family. The ensemble is considered one of his most rigorously realized total works of art: everything was coordinated, from the sequence of rooms through furniture, stucco and parquet to fittings and fabrics. The garden was enlarged to his plans in 1919/20.

From 1936/37 the house was remodeled to create separate apartments. After expropriation in 1946, it was used until 1990 as a medical training school for nurses, for which a three-story dormitory was built, among other changes. After reunification the villa stood empty for several years and fell increasingly into disrepair.

At the end of 1996 the physician Volker Kielstein acquired the property from the City of Gera. From 1997 it was faithfully restored over many years with the support of the heritage authorities and the Deutsche Stiftung Denkmalschutz; numerous original pieces of van de Velde furniture returned. In 1999 the Kielstein couple founded the Europäische Vereinigung der Freunde Henry van de Veldes (European Association of Friends of Henry van de Velde), which runs the museum. The restoration has received awards including the Thuringian Heritage Conservation Prize (2012), the German Prize for Heritage Conservation (2019) and a Europa Nostra Award (2024).

In addition to the reconstructed living rooms, the house displays one of the largest collections of book designs by van de Velde, works of the English Arts and Crafts movement, Japanese art, and paintings and prints from the circle of Weimar modernism. The house is also a venue for concerts, exhibitions and civil wedding ceremonies.

Highlights

• Walk-in total work of art by Henry van de Velde with reconstructed living rooms
• Original van de Velde furniture
• Large collection of van de Velde book designs
• Opalescent skylight of mouth-blown glass
• Garden planned by van de Velde with the sculpture “Kauerndes Mädchen” (Crouching Girl) by Richard Engelmann

Permanent exhibitions

• Ein begehbares Gesamtkunstwerk Henry van de Veldes – Reconstructed living rooms with original furniture, stucco, parquet and fabrics, complemented by book art, Arts and Crafts objects and modern art.

Founded

1915

Operated by

Europäische Vereinigung der Freunde Henry van de Veldes e. V.

Admission & discounts

Free for ICOM and DMV members and with the WeimarCard Plus.

Accessibility

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

Not accessible due to heritage protection: entrance via rising ground, main entrance with five sandstone steps without a handrail, upper floors only by stairs, restroom in the basement down 15 steps. The cafeteria in the former coach house is reachable; ramps are planned. Audio guide via QR code; selected objects can be touched. Tours for deaf visitors can be booked; please bring your own sign language interpreter. Advance notice recommended.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.

Getting there & parking

From the A4 and A9 autobahns, follow the brown "Haus Schulenburg" signs.

Amenities & dining

• Café

Cafeteria in the former coach house (open mainly during events; regular hours not given).

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events
• Weddings / ceremonies

The villa rooms, the event cellar and the cafeteria can be rented for family and corporate celebrations; civil wedding ceremonies since 2009. Viewings for couples on weekdays 10:00–16:00, on weekends by arrangement.

Plan your visit