John-Heartfield-Haus Waldsieversdorf
Restored summer house of the photomontage artist John Heartfield on the Großer Däbersee with an original fireplace room and exhibition.
About the museum
John Heartfield, the pioneer of political photomontage, returned from English exile in 1950 and initially lived in Leipzig. At the suggestion of Bertolt Brecht, he got to know the Märkische Schweiz in 1953. In 1956 he leased a wooded plot on the eastern shore of the Großer Däbersee in Waldsieversdorf and in 1957 had a summer house built there to his own ideas from parts of a former medical barracks, with a fireplace, conservatory, roof terrace, and many playful details, plus a small guesthouse for his grandchildren.
Until his death in 1968, Heartfield spent many summers here with his wife Gertrud; she used the house until 1983. After that it served the GDR Academy of Arts as a holiday retreat, and after 1990 unresolved ownership questions long blocked any new use.
In 2003 the summer house and children's house were placed under heritage protection, and in the same year the Freundeskreis John Heartfield (friends' circle) was founded. In 2008 the municipality acquired the property, and in 2009 the association opened the still unrenovated house on weekends for the first time. After renovation with EU funding, it reopened in September 2010 as a memorial and meeting place.
The fireplace room was largely restored to its state in the Heartfield years on the basis of historical photos and inventory lists; many pieces of furniture and objects are loans from the archive of the Akademie der Künste. In the remaining rooms and the former garage, the friends' circle shows reproductions of photomontages, book covers, and documents on his life and work.
Highlights
- Fireplace room furnished largely true to the original
- Reproductions of well-known political photomontages and book covers
- Collection of children's toys and travel souvenirs
- Forest garden on the shore of the Großer Däbersee
- Children's house with dove and sun on the gable
Permanent exhibitions
- Kaminzimmer – The living room with fireplace, desk, and numerous small objects is furnished largely as it was in Heartfield's lifetime.
- Leben und Werk John Heartfields – In the former kitchen, bedroom, and garage, reproductions of photomontages, book covers, and archive documents can be seen.
- Founded
- 2009
- Operated by
- Freundeskreis John Heartfield – Waldsieversdorf e. V.
Admission & discounts
Admission is free.
Free admission; the friends' circle asks for a donation of €7 per person to maintain the house. At events, "admission on exit" (pay what you wish when leaving) applies.
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.
Kids & families
The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Waldsieversdorf (Buckower Kleinbahn)
By RB26 (Berlin-Lichtenberg – Kostrzyn) to Müncheberg (Mark), then by bus 928 to Waldsieversdorf; buses also from Strausberg (S5) and Buckow. In the summer season the Buckower Kleinbahn runs Müncheberg – Waldsieversdorf – Buckow, whose Waldsieversdorf stop is close to the house.
By car via B1/5 to Müncheberg, then B168 toward Prötzel; in the village pass the Großer Däbersee and the Volksbad, and a few meters later turn right onto Schwarzer Weg. On foot via the John-Heartfield-Steig on the eastern shore of the lake, by bike via the Europaradweg R1.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Tours outside opening hours by arrangement. For school classes from grade 8, tours on his life and work as well as workshops on creating their own photomontages (May to September, cost by arrangement). |
