Kreis- und Universitätsmuseum Helmstedt

About the museum

The Kreis- und Universitätsmuseum is located in the former wine and beer cellar of the historic University of Helmstedt, in the Juleum on Collegienplatz. The Academia Julia existed from 1576 to 1810 and was the first state university of the Braunschweig territory; it is older than the universities in Göttingen, Halle, and Kiel. The museum is run by Landkreis Helmstedt.

The exhibition has two focal points. The regional history section shows how people in the district lived in earlier times, for example the court uniform of a district director and women's clothing of the 19th century, a large model of the history of lignite open-pit mining, and a section on church history that leads, via the Reformation, to the university.

The university section shows scientific instruments for studying planetary orbits, a large calendar, and distillation flasks, as well as everyday finds such as tobacco pipes, playing cards, dishes from the university canteen, and beams from the Karzer (student detention cell), into which students carved messages. A model shows Helmstedt as a university town in the 18th century. The restored sedan chair of the Professorenwitwenkasse (professors' widows' fund) recalls the lives of professors' families.

Highlights

• Museum in the former wine and beer cellar of the university
• Model "Helmstedt als Universitätsstadt im 18. Jahrhundert"
• Scientific instruments and Karzer beams of the Academia Julia
• Model of the history of lignite mining
• Sedan chair of the Professorenwitwenkasse
• Free admission

Permanent exhibitions

• Regionalgeschichte im Landkreis Helmstedt – Original objects and picture panels on life in the district, church history, and lignite mining.
• Universitätsgeschichte – Academia Julia (1576–1810) – Scientific instruments, everyday finds, and a town model tell of teaching, research, and student life at the first state university of Braunschweig.

Operated by

Landkreis Helmstedt

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Admission is free. Donations to the museum can be made through the district's online offering.

Accessibility

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Kids & families

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Getting there & parking

The museum is located in the Juleum at Collegienplatz 1, in Helmstedt's city center.

Amenities & dining

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Events & venue rental

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