Hohhaus-Museum Lauterbach

About the museum

The Hohhaus was built between 1770 and 1778 as a town palace for the Freiherren (barons) Riedesel zu Eisenbach. The client was General Georg Friedrich Riedesel; the master builder is named as Georg Veit Koch from Rodach near Coburg. The family lived in the house until 1907; in Lauterbach it soon became known simply as the "Hohhaus", that is, the "Hohe Haus" (high house). The stucco work by southern German master craftsmen is particularly elaborate and reaches its peak in the Rococo Hall on the second floor.

The collection of the Lauterbach museum dates back to 1910 and has been housed in the Hohhaus since 1931. The building now belongs to the town of Lauterbach, while the museum is run by the Verein Hohhaus-Museum Lauterbach e. V. (registered association). The most valuable item is the late Gothic Marian altar from around 1480, from the old Lauterbach church that was demolished. Also on display are hand-painted Chinese wallpapers from around 1840, prehistoric finds, objects from Wartenberg Castle, destroyed in 1265, and rooms furnished in the styles of different eras.

One focus is crafts, from shoemakers and saddlers to potters and hatmakers, as well as a collection of hand-forged locks, fittings and keys. Farmhouse parlors, traditional costumes and agricultural tools show rural life in the Vogelsberg; the geological collection is housed in the gardener's house. Since 2003, the outbuilding has housed a museum print shop and a classroom from the Imperial era.

Due to archiving, renovation and conversion work, the museum is no longer open to visitors. From 2027 the town plans a comprehensive renovation, expected to last until around 2029/2030, which is also intended to make the building barrier-free.

Highlights

• Late Gothic Marian altar from around 1480
• Rococo Hall with rich stucco and gilding
• Hand-painted Chinese wallpapers (around 1840)
• Museum print shop with lead typesetting machine
• Historic Imperial-era classroom
• Craft and farmhouse parlors and traditional costumes from the Vogelsberg

Permanent exhibitions

• Museumsrundgang durch das Hohhaus-Palais – Living and craft rooms, farmhouse parlors, costumes, and finds from prehistory to the Middle Ages across several floors. Currently not accessible.
• Marienaltar und Rokokosaal – The late Gothic winged altar from around 1480 and the stucco-decorated festival hall are among the highlights of the house.
• Museumsdruckerei und Historisches Klassenzimmer – In the outbuilding, type cases, printing presses and a Linotype typesetting machine show printing technology; next door, a village schoolroom from around 1900 is set up.

Founded

1910

Operated by

Hohhaus-Museum Lauterbach e. V.

Admission & discounts

Free admission: International Museum Day (May) and Open Monument Day (September)

The prices apply to regular museum operations.

Accessibility

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Weddings / ceremonies

Up to 100 guests.

Weddings in the Rococo Hall (up to 100 seats), in the gardener's house (up to 60 guests) or in the Rococo garden; a champagne reception in the vestibule or the Ehrenhof courtyard is possible. The Rococo Hall is also available for events.

Plan your visit