Museum Heppenheim

About the museum

The museum is located in the Kurmainzer Amtshof (Electoral Mainz administrative building), one of the oldest buildings in Heppenheim's old town. The first construction phases of the complex date back to the 13th and 14th centuries; as the administrative seat of the Archbishops of Mainz, the house was of great importance for the region. In the oldest part, the Saalbau (hall building), lies the Kurfürstensaal with Gothic angel frescoes and Renaissance wall paintings.

In 1958 the Volkskundemuseum Bergstraße-Odenwald-Ried (folk culture museum) moved into the building; later the local history museum, founded in 1987, was added. The merger of both institutions in 1995 created the Museum für Stadtgeschichte und Volkskunde, which has operated since 2020 as Museum Heppenheim in redesigned rooms and with a new museum education concept.

The permanent exhibition in the central building traces Heppenheim from early settlement traces, through the town's founding more than 1,250 years ago, up to contemporary history; a model of Starkenburg Castle shows its former size. Special themes include the Heppenheim Assembly of 1847, the prehistory of the Frankfurt National Assembly, and personalities such as Justus Liebig, Martin Buber and Theodor Heuss. In the attic, the East German culture and Heimat rooms display costumes, customs and household items.

Highlights

• Permanent exhibition on Heppenheim's town history from the Stone Age to the present
• Kurfürstensaal with Gothic angel frescoes and Renaissance wall paintings
• Model of Starkenburg Castle
• Heppenheim Assembly of 1847 and personalities such as Liebig, Buber and Heuss
• Display storeroom and East German culture and Heimat rooms in the attic

Permanent exhibitions

• Dauerausstellung zur Stadtgeschichte – Using original objects and media, the exhibition shows Heppenheim's path from early settlement traces through the town's founding to contemporary history, with a castle model and stations on Liebig, Buber and Heuss.
• Kurfürstensaal – The oldest part of the Amtshof contains a hall with Gothic angel frescoes and Renaissance wall paintings, as well as a chapel and the Wappensaal (coat-of-arms hall).
• Ostdeutsche Kultur- und Heimatstuben – In the attic, Egerland and Transylvanian costumes, costume dolls, customs objects, glassware and musical instruments show the culture of the East German homeland regions.

Founded

1995

Operated by

Kreisstadt Heppenheim

Admission & discounts

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

According to the city, the museum is wheelchair-accessible and has an elevator.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Kids’ birthday parties

School classes as well as children's and youth groups can use the museum for interactive themed tours, workshops and children's birthday parties; offerings are requested via a form. Children and young people up to age 18 enter free.

Getting there & parking

The museum is located in the Kurmainzer Amtshof in Heppenheim's old town; visitor address: Amtsgasse 5.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

The museum shop sells books and catalogs on the town's history.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit