Puppenmuseum Falkenstein

About the museum

The museum is located in the Landhaus Michaelsen, which the architect Karl Schneider built in 1923 in the style of Neues Bauen (New Objectivity) on the Falkenstein slope above the Elbe. The white villa is regarded as an early key work of modernism in Hamburg; Walter Gropius presented it as early as 1925 in one of the Bauhaus books.

In the 1950s the publisher Axel Springer bought the property but let the house fall into disrepair and later bequeathed it to the city; the surrounding park has been public as the Sven-Simon-Park since 1982. In 1985 the collector Elke Dröscher took over the ruin and bore the cost of the renovation herself. In 1986 the building was placed under monument protection and the Puppenmuseum Falkenstein opened.

The private collection, built up over five decades, comprises more than 500 mostly European dolls and about 60 dollhouses, doll rooms, doll kitchens, and toy shops from eight generations, supplemented by historic portraits of children. Arranged chronologically, the detailed miniature worlds make visible middle-class home life, fashion, and ideas about education from the late 18th century to the 1950s. Since 2005 a friends' circle (Freundeskreis) has supported the museum.

Highlights

• Landhaus Michaelsen by Karl Schneider (1923), a building of Neues Bauen (New Objectivity)
• More than 500 historic dolls
• About 60 doll rooms, doll kitchens, and toy shops
• Middle-class home life from the late 18th century to the 1950s
• Location in the Sven-Simon-Park above the Elbe bank

Permanent exhibitions

• Kleine Lebenswelten aus drei Jahrhunderten – Chronologically arranged dolls, doll rooms, and toy shops show the everyday culture, fashion, and education of middle-class families from the late 18th century to the 1950s.

Founded

1986

Operated by

Elke Dröscher (privat)

Director

Elke Dröscher

Admission & discounts

Members of the Freundeskreis have free admission.

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

People with walking disabilities who have a special permit may drive into the park up to the museum.

Kids & families

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

Getting there & parking

By car through Blankenese toward Rissen/Wedel via Kösterbergstraße, which leads into Grotiusweg.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

Museum shop with publications; ordering is also possible through the website.

Events & venue rental

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

Plan your visit