Ostholstein-Museum Eutin

Current exhibitions

About the museum

The museum's roots go back to 1889, when Pastor Heinrich Aye founded a historical society for the Principality of Lübeck and began building up a collection. In 1936 the teacher Gustav Peters set up a permanent local history museum in the former St. George's Hospital, which he ran on a voluntary basis until 1979.

In 1989, a hundred years after its beginnings, the district local history museum, by then professionally run, moved into the former ducal stables (Marstall) on Schlossplatz, built around 1832 together with a riding hall, and was renamed the Ostholstein-Museum. Today it is run by the Kulturstiftung des Kreises Ostholstein (cultural foundation of the Ostholstein district).

The permanent exhibition on the upper floor, redesigned in 2005 and modernized in 2014, presents Eutin around 1800, when the residence of the Dukes of Oldenburg was a center for poets and scholars. On view are works by Johann Heinrich Wilhelm Tischbein, Eutin silver and pewter, Stockelsdorf faience and East Holstein landscape painting. On two further floors, the museum stages up to eight special exhibitions a year on painting, graphic art, sculpture, applied art and photography. A branch is located in Kloster Cismar (Cismar Abbey).

Highlights

• Paintings and drawings by Johann Heinrich Wilhelm Tischbein
• Permanent exhibition "Eutin um 1800" (Eutin around 1800)
• Stockelsdorf faience, Eutin silver and pewter
• East Holstein landscape painting from Wrage to Hellwag
• Up to eight special exhibitions a year

Permanent exhibitions

• Eutin um 1800 – The residence town in the age of Goethe, with works by Tischbein, testimonies of the Eutin poets and regional crafts; being gradually redesigned in 2026.

Founded

1889

Operated by

Kulturstiftung des Kreises Ostholstein

Director

Julia Hümme

Admission & discounts

Prices valid from January 1, 2026. Different prices may apply for particularly elaborate temporary exhibitions.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom
• 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

Three exhibition levels; the second and third floors are reachable by elevator; wheelchair-accessible restrooms on the first floor. The Kloster Cismar branch is not accessible.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

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

Children under 14 free. Children's question sheet at the ticket desk; museum rallies, holiday programs, family Saturdays and the children's art workshop "Kunstzwerge" with the museum educator. Stroller-friendly restroom on the first floor.

Getting there & parking

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

Museum shop (orders also by phone/email).

Events & venue rental

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

Plan your visit