Literaturmuseum Theodor Storm

Current exhibitions

About the museum

Theodor Storm lived in Heiligenstadt from 1856 to 1864 as a Prussian district judge; during this time he wrote numerous poems, fairy tales, and novellas, including "Die Regentrude" (The Rain Maiden). To mark the 100th anniversary of the poet's death, the literary museum opened on July 4, 1988, and at the same time the bronze statue by Werner Löwe was unveiled at the approach to the palace.

The museum is housed in the Mainzer Haus, a half-timbered building erected in 1436 that is one of the oldest buildings in town and survived the town fire of 1739. Since 2008 the house has been run by the Theodor-Storm-Verein. The permanent exhibition explores Storm's time in Heiligenstadt, his sense of home between Husum and the Eichsfeld, and Storm as a collector and writer of fairy tales; since 2000, a separate room has commemorated Heinrich Heine's baptism in Heiligenstadt in 1825.

The collection includes an almost complete Storm library, artistic responses to his work, and, since 1998, a puppet theater collection – fitting for the novella "Pole Poppenspäler" (Paul the Puppeteer), which is set in Heiligenstadt. A mechanical puppet theater by Erfurt artist Martin Gobsch stages the Regentrude. The rose garden with historic varieties, laid out in 2006, is freely accessible.

Highlights

• Mainzer Haus from 1436, one of the oldest buildings in Heiligenstadt
• Mechanical Regentrude puppet theater by Martin Gobsch
• Puppet theater collection relating to "Pole Poppenspäler"
• Memorial room on the baptism of Heinrich Heine
• Rose garden with historic roses, freely accessible

Permanent exhibitions

• Theodor Storm in Heiligenstadt – Rooms on Storm's sense of home, on the poetry and novellas of his Heiligenstadt years, on his Christmas traditions, and on his fairy tales.
• Heinrich Heines Taufe in Heiligenstadt – Memorial room on the poet's baptism in June 1825, including facsimiles of the baptismal documents.
• Regentrude-Puppentheater – A mechanical wooden puppet theater by Martin Gobsch brings Storm's fairy tale "Die Regentrude" to the stage with movement and sound.

Founded

1988

Operated by

Theodor-Storm-Verein

Director

Gideon Haut

Admission & discounts

Free admission: Free admission for everyone on the first Sunday of every month

Guided tours for school classes €30 (for projects plus €2 per person for materials); free for school classes from the Eichsfeld district.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: not available
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The listed building is not accessible. Animals are not allowed in the museum, except guide dogs.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide

Children's audio guide to borrow, created by elementary school students. Search game "Eine Möwe für Storm" with a small reward, a fairy-tale room for reading on cushions, and a craft sheet of the Mainz house. Holiday programs according to the events calendar. Children up to 16 free.

Getting there & parking

Amenities & dining

• Café: not available
• Restaurant: not available

Rose garden at the museum.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.

Plan your visit