Psychiatrie-Museum Philippshospital
Museum in House 8 of the Vitos Philippshospital in Riedstadt on the history of one of Hesse's oldest hospitals – visits by advance appointment only.
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About the museum
The Philippshospital traces its origins to 1535, when Landgrave Philip the Magnanimous founded the “Hohe Landeshospital Hofheim”, one of four high state hospitals in Hesse. Since 1821 it has been devoted to the treatment of people with mental illness, which makes it one of the oldest psychiatric institutions in Germany; it has borne its current name since 1904. It is now run by the Vitos group.
The museum in House 8 of the clinic grounds was set up in 1975 by chief orderly Heinrich Steiner and Hans Deuster, with support from the administration at the time. It combines an exhibition, a library and an archive, and tells the story of the hospital and clinic from the early 16th century onward. The historical records are maintained together with the archive of the Landeswohlfahrtsverband Hessen (Hesse state welfare association).
Among the oldest objects are a 1620 hospital chest with an intricate lock, in which the hospital steward kept cash, and an 1702 bellows from the hospital forge. In addition there are tools of the trades practiced in the hospital, case histories dating back to 1580, construction and administrative files, and plans. Further exhibits, such as historical restraints and treatment devices, document changes in how people with mental illness were treated. The files also include a doctor's bill from Karl Ernst Büchner, father of the poet Georg Büchner.
Highlights
- Hospital chest from 1620 with an ornate lock
- Case histories, construction and administrative files from 1580
- 1702 bellows and tools of the hospital trades
- Historical restraints and treatment devices
- Doctor's bill of Georg Büchner's father in the records
- Library and archive on hospital history
Permanent exhibition
- Psychiatriemuseum Riedstadt – Exhibition with library and archive on the hospital and clinical history of the Philippshospital from the early 16th century onward.
- Founded
- 1975
- Operated by
- Vitos Südhessen gGmbH
Admission & discounts
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Accessibility
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Kids & families
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Getting there & parking
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Amenities & dining
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Events & venue rental
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Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| Good to know | Visits by advance appointment only, with a knowledgeable guided tour of the museum. |
