Hannover's city history museum, closed for renovation – until it reopens, it operates as the Hannover Kiosk in the Altstadt (old town) with free admission.
February 27, 2026 – November 22, 2026
The first "Leerstellenprojekt" (gaps project) at the Hannover Kiosk: in six contributions, co-curators shed light on Black life in Hannover – from exploitation in the colonial era and communities since the 1980s to experiences today.
The museum's roots go back to 1903, when the Vaterländisches Museum opened in the Cumberlandsche Galerie at the suggestion of the Heimatbund Niedersachsen. In 1937 it was renamed Niedersächsisches Volkstumsmuseum, and in 1943 air raids destroyed the building. A makeshift new start followed from 1950 as the Niedersächsisches Heimatmuseum.
In 1966 the museum opened under its current name in a new building by Dieter Oesterlen on the Hohes Ufer of the Leine river – the spot where the city is believed to have begun. The polygonal building, arranged around a pentagonal courtyard, incorporates the medieval Beginenturm and remains of the ducal arsenal from the 17th century.
The collection covers city and regional history as well as everyday culture; its photographic archive of around one million historical images is one of the major picture archives in Germany. The four ornate Guelph state coaches, long a visitor favorite, are now on display at the Museum Schloss Herrenhausen.
Since November 1, 2023, the main building has been closed for a comprehensive renovation, and the permanent exhibition is being completely redesigned; reopening is expected toward the end of the decade. Since September 28, 2024, a former retail store on Karmarschstraße has served as a temporary museum: in the Hannover Kiosk, which covers around 400 square meters, the team is testing out the city museum of the future with selected objects, digital stations and exhibitions developed together with groups from the local community.
Admission is free.
| Children & teens | –Free admission for everyone. |
|---|---|
| Groups | –Guided tours and school workshops on request from visitor services (buchungen.hmh@hannover-stadt.de, 0511 168-43945). |
| Families | –Children's birthday party (2 hrs): €70 plus €3 per child, two adults free. |
The Hannover Kiosk is free. Some events and guided tours require online tickets or registration.
The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.
Great for kids & families
The Hannover Kiosk also sees itself as a place for families: the family program "History to Try Out" on selected Sundays, stroller tours, and children's birthday parties on request.
The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.
Foyer with seating and Wi-Fi; workshop room for workshops.
Children's birthday parties can be booked at the Hannover Kiosk; no information on renting space for events.
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Public guided tours (including city walks, history of democracy, Beginenturm, colonial traces) according to the events calendar; group tours and school workshops on request. |
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