Pfarrhausmuseum Blüthen

About the museum

The Pfarrhausmuseum (parsonage museum) in Blüthen tells of a way of life that for centuries shaped the Protestant church and has since disappeared in this form: everyday life in a rural parsonage. The collection is based on the parish archive, with holdings going back to the 17th century, and on the extensive estate of Karl and Gerlinde Groß, the last pastoral couple to live in the house. Karl Groß took up his office in 1930 and remained connected to the parish into the 1980s; Gerlinde Groß worked as a catechist and teacher.

Some of the rooms show original furnishings, others are atmospherically re-created. Photographs recall official duties, village festivals and weddings. The people of the parish also have their say, including villagers, teachers and the lords of the manor of Stavenow, who held the patronage of the parish until 1945. Documents, newspapers and a media station with radio contributions and eyewitness accounts from five decades address the church struggle under the Nazi regime and the conflict between the church and the SED state.

A particular focus is the graphic work of the painter Wilhelm Steinhausen (1846–1924), who at times lived with his brother Heinrich, the parish pastor in Blüthen from 1868 to 1875, and who created a stained-glass window for the village church. The new permanent exhibition was made possible by foundation and lottery funds, donations and a great deal of volunteer work. The house is run by its own association. The program also includes the project "Lebensgeschichten" (Life Stories), with biographies of people buried in the village cemetery.

Highlights

• Furnished 20th-century rural parsonage
• Estate of the pastoral couple Karl and Gerlinde Groß
• Graphic works by the painter Wilhelm Steinhausen
• Media station with radio contributions and eyewitness interviews
• Parish archive with holdings going back to the 17th century
• "Lebensgeschichten" project on the people buried in the village cemetery

Permanent exhibition

• Landpfarrerleben im Pfarrhaus – Permanent exhibition on everyday life in the parsonage, with furnishings, archival documents, photographs, a media station and graphic works by Wilhelm Steinhausen.

Operated by

Trägerverein Pfarrhausmuseum Blüthen e.V.

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

A donation is requested.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: no information
• Elevator: no information
• 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

The flooring inside and outside is only partly suitable for wheelchairs and walkers.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

Amenities & dining

On request, catering with regional sausage specialties and cakes made from the original recipes of the pastor's wife, Gerlinde Groß.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent

The church, parsonage and parsonage garden can be used for cultural and community events.

Plan your visit