Heimatmuseum Warnemünde

About the museum

The museum's beginnings lie in 1914: at the suggestion of the Plattdeutscher Verein (Low German association), citizens of Warnemünde began collecting old household and work items before they ended up as souvenirs in vacationers' suitcases. The driving forces were the fisherman Heinrich Holtfreter, the teacher Adolf Ahrens as first director and the book printer Ernst Strübing. The collection was initially housed on the upper floor of the Fritz-Reuter-Schule.

In 1933 Christine Jungmann handed over her parental home at Alexandrinenstraße 31 together with its contents. The side-aisle hall house (Seitendielenhaus), built in 1767 by the Wendt family, received a finished upper story and a tile roof in the 19th century; the family of the helmsman Heinrich Jungmann lived here for generations. In the Second World War the holdings were evacuated, and some pieces were lost in the process.

After 1945 the house belonged to the municipal museums of Rostock. In the 1970s it was renovated and reopened under the direction of the Schifffahrtsmuseum (maritime museum); since 1991 the museum has also used rooms in the neighboring house and thus has about 240 square meters of exhibition space.

When closure threatened in 2003, committed Warnemünde residents founded the Museumsverein Warnemünde e.V., which has run the house on behalf of the Hanseatic city since 2005. In 2018 the modernized permanent exhibition was completed. The folklore collection today comprises about 20,000 objects, photos, archival documents and books.

Highlights

• Side-aisle hall house of 1767 with furnished parlor, kitchen and bedroom
• Fishing, pilotage and seafaring at the mouth of the Warnow
• Seaside resort history and the invention of the Strandkorb (beach chair)
• Free multimedia guide in German and English
• Discovery tour with questionnaire for children

Permanent exhibitions

• Dauerausstellung: Leben und Arbeiten in Warnemünde – Furnished living rooms show the everyday life of a Warnemünde family in the late 19th century. Further areas are devoted to fishermen, pilots, seaside life and the Strandkorb.

Founded

1914

Operated by

Museumsverein Warnemünde e.V.

Director

Christoph Wegner

Admission & discounts

Cash payment only. The multimedia guide is free.

Accessibility

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

The museum can also be visited with a wheelchair, walker or walking aid. It is best to register your visit by phone shortly beforehand (0381 52667) so the team can help with access. Service animals are allowed.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide

The discovery tour with questionnaire (for children aged about 7 to 12) is also suitable for family visits and is available to download on the website. During the holidays, events for younger children, such as fairy tales and themed tours, are available on request. Children must be supervised by adults.

Getting there & parking

By car via the A19 or A20 to exit Rostock-West, then on the B103 toward Warnemünde.

Amenities & dining

• Café: not available
• Restaurant: not available
• Coat check

Umbrellas, wet coats and bags from briefcase size up as well as backpacks must be left at the ticket desk. Eating and drinking (including ice cream) is not permitted in the exhibition rooms and the inner courtyard.

Events & venue rental

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

Plan your visit