Museum Kirtorf

About the museum

The Kirtorf Museum is housed in a three-story half-timbered house with an attached former outbuilding, next to the town hall. The original, probably much smaller post-and-beam building dates from the 16th century and was later rebuilt and extended several times. After the town of Kirtorf took over the dilapidated house in 1996, it renovated it between 1999 and 2005 using various funding sources; a vaulted cellar was preserved in the basement.

The museum was inaugurated on November 18, 2005. It is run by the Heimatverein Stadt Kirtorf (local heritage association), which developed the exhibition concept together with the Hessian Museum Association as well as designers, copywriters and graphic artists. The association sees it as a living museum, with changing exhibitions, readings, lectures and teaching units for schools.

The vaulted cellar is dedicated to the Vogelsberg volcanic region. On the upper floors, under the motto "Citizens shape the face of a town," the lives of well-known and lesser-known Kirtorf residents take center stage, such as the tar burner Georg Jung ("Schmerschorsch") and the photographer Johann Georg Wigand Fauldrath. Highlights include a Hebrew Bible from 1716 and a gilded communion chalice from about 1600.

Highlights

• Vaulted cellar with an exhibition on the Vogelsberg volcano and volcanic rocks
• Tar-burning craft ("Schmerbrennen") centered on Kirtorf local character Georg Jung
• Recreated photo studio of Kirtorf photographer Fauldrath and a spinning room
• Hebrew Bible from 1716 and communion chalice from about 1600
• Half-timbered house with a core from the 16th century

Permanent exhibitions

• Vulkan Vogelsberg – The vaulted cellar explains volcanology and the extinct Vogelsberg volcano; rocks from various parts of the region can be touched.
• Bürger prägen das Gesicht einer Stadt – Across three floors, text panels and objects present notable people, town and district history, a recreated photo studio and a spinning room.
• Teerbrennen und Kirtorfer Schmiedefamilien – On the ground floor, the museum's "red thread" shows the craft of tar burning around Georg Jung, as well as tools of the Kirtorf blacksmith families.

Founded

2005

Operated by

Heimatverein Stadt Kirtorf e. V.

Admission & discounts

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Accessibility

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Kids & families

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Getting there & parking

The museum is directly next to the town hall at Neustädter Tor 8.

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Weddings / ceremonies

Civil weddings can be held in the small spinning room or in the large room in front of the Schmerofen (tar kiln); the house is also used for readings and lectures.

Plan your visit