Ostfriesisches Schulmuseum Folmhusen
Museum on the history of schools and childhood in East Frisia in the old village school of Folmhusen with historic lessons as in the imperial era.
About the museum
After the elementary school in Folmhusen was closed in 1972, the idea arose in the municipality of Westoverledingen to set up a school museum in the empty building instead of a local history museum. The driving force was the teacher Karl Reuer, who, with the support of a school history working group of the GEW Weser-Ems, built up a collection on local school history. The first operator was the Heimat- und Verkehrsverein.
From 1981 the view widened to all of East Frisia; in 1984 the association Ostfriesisches Schulmuseum Folmhusen was founded as a further operator alongside the municipality. The first historic lesson took place as early as 1983, and the official opening followed in 1987, drawing more than 5,000 guests in its first year.
In the 1990s a neighboring Gulf house was added, and in 2003 the so-called Bücherscheune (book barn) for the greatly grown library with over 30,000 volumes and thousands of school wall charts. The museum is part of the Museumsverbund Ostfriesland, hosts international symposia on school history and holds the museum quality seal of the Museumsverband Niedersachsen und Bremen.
Highlights
- Historic imperial-era classroom in the Old School of 1904
- Historic lessons for groups with slate and slate pencil
- School room and teacher's apartment around 1800 in the Gulf house
- School history library with over 30,000 volumes
- Discovery booklet for children with ten stations
Permanent exhibitions
- Gerade sitzen – Ohren spitzen! – In the listed Old School of 1904, a Wilhelmine-era classroom and stations on school subjects offer insight into school and childhood.
- Schulraum und Lehrerwohnung um 1800 – In the Gulf house, a simple village school with a teacher's apartment shows the modest circumstances of East Frisian teachers around 1800.
- Operated by
- Verein Ostfriesisches Schulmuseum Folmhusen e. V. und Gemeinde Westoverledingen
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €4 |
|---|---|
| Children & teens | –Pupils have free admission |
| Groups (15+ people) | €7 per personHistoric lesson including admission for 15 or more people: adults €7, pupils up to 16 years €3; groups under 15 people flat rate €100; max. 35 people per classroom |
| Discovery booklet for children | €2 |
| Museum pass "Jan und Jantje" | €1Riddle booklet for several museums in East Frisia |
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
- Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
- Playground / play area
- Kids’ birthday parties
With the discovery booklet and an old school satchel, children explore ten stations; also a riddle pass for several East Frisian museums. Playground and children's birthday parties.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Folmhusen B70/Schulmuseum
Bus line 600 between Leer (approx. 14 min.) and Papenburg (approx. 34 min.); nearest train stations Leer and Papenburg.
By car
Free parking
Free parking directly in front of the building and a large parking lot on Carl-Benz-Straße toward Papenburg; bus turnaround for tour buses in front of the museum.
Directly on the B70 between Leer and Papenburg; the bus stop is opposite the museum. Located on the Emsradweg. Entrance in the Gulf house.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Museum shop
Small sales area, including slates and slate pencils.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes · approx. 45 min |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Historic lesson as around 1900 (about 45 minutes) for groups, class reunions and school classes by registration at 04955 4989; afterward time for the exhibition. Tours also in Low German. |
