Lepsiushaus
Research center and meeting place in the former home of Johannes Lepsius in Potsdam, with an exhibition on the Armenian genocide.
About the museum
The Protestant theologian Johannes Lepsius (1858–1926) lived and worked in the villa at the foot of the Pfingstberg from 1908 until his death. From here he organized aid for the Armenian population in the Ottoman Empire and, in 1916, made the genocide of the Armenians known in Germany with a secretly circulated report – against the will of the imperial government. The core of the house itself dates from around 1800; it was remodeled in the 1860s.
After World War II, the Soviet army used the building until the early 1990s, after which it fell increasingly into disrepair. In 1999, Potsdam residents and figures from German-Armenian, church, and academic circles founded a friends' association to save the house. After public funding was secured, the interior was restored from 2009; the Lepsiushaus was formally opened on May 2, 2011. The building is owned by the Stiftung Preußische Schlösser und Gärten (Prussian Palaces and Gardens Foundation).
With the opening, the Johannes Lepsius Archive, previously held at the Faculty of Theology in Halle, came to Potsdam. Today, the house is a research institute with an archive, library, and media library dealing with violence against Armenians since the late 19th century, the genocide of 1915/16, and humanitarian responses to it. A permanent exhibition traces Lepsius's life and his commitment; in the garden, a marble sculpture by Roland Stelter has commemorated his civil courage since 2015.
Highlights
- Authentic home and workplace of Johannes Lepsius (1908–1926)
- Permanent exhibition on Lepsius's life and work with historic photographs
- Johannes Lepsius Archive and specialist library on the Armenian genocide
- Sculpture "Zivilcourage" (Civil Courage) by Roland Stelter in the garden
Permanent exhibitions
- Dauerausstellung zu Johannes Lepsius – Follows Lepsius's life and his commitment to the Armenians, sheds light on networks of helpers, relief work, and efforts to expose the crimes, as well as the political context – complemented by contemporary photographs.
- Founded
- 2011
- Director
- Roy Knocke
Admission & discounts
The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.
Accessibility
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Kids & families
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Getting there & parking
By public transit
Puschkinallee · 10-min walk
From Potsdam Hauptbahnhof take tram 92 or 96 to Puschkinallee, then about a 10-minute walk; alternatively, bus 603 from Platz der Einheit to Langhansstraße/Große Weinmeisterstraße or Persiusstraße.
Amenities & dining
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Events & venue rental
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Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| Good to know | Guided tours of the house and exhibition by advance appointment. The archive and library are available to researchers; regular lectures, conferences, and workshops. |
