Heimatmuseum Walldorf

About the museum

The Walldorf museum is dedicated to the unusual history of the place: Walldorf was founded in 1699 by Protestant religious refugees from Piedmont, the Waldensians, who found refuge in the Landgraviate of Hesse-Darmstadt. In 1702, fourteen families with 54 people decided to establish their own village near Mörfelden. Their half-timbered farmsteads were built along today's Langstraße, which for a long time was the village's only street.

The building is a reconstruction of a farmstead built in 1710 and thus also shows the settlement and building methods of the time. The permanent exhibition describes the flight across the Cottian Alps and the Rhine, the difficulties of building their own "Colonie" (colony), the special privileges and the international support that secured the new settlers' survival, and the life of the early Walldorf residents until the construction of the Riedbahn (railway line). A centerpiece is the Waldensian genealogy with the family trees of the founding families and their coats of arms.

The museum is run by the city of Mörfelden-Walldorf in close cooperation with the Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Walldorfer Geschichte (Walldorf history working group). In addition, panels along Langstraße, at the station and at historic sites explain everyday life after the founding.

Highlights

• History of the Waldensian colony of Walldorf since 1699
• Reconstructed farmstead from 1710
• Waldensian genealogy with founding families and coats of arms
• History panels along Langstraße
• Admission free

Permanent exhibition

• Geist der Freiheit – Waldenser in Walldorf – Flight of the Waldensians from Piedmont, founding of the "Colonie" Walldorf, and life of the first settlers until the construction of the Riedbahn.

Operated by

Stadt Mörfelden-Walldorf (mit Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Walldorfer Geschichte)

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

According to the city, the museum is only partly barrier-free.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

The museum is at Langstraße 96 in Walldorf.

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

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