Saarländisches Schulmuseum
School museum in Ottweiler with period classrooms from 1910–1950 and a 19th-century classroom, on the history of schooling in Saarland.
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About the museum
The Saarland School Museum in Ottweiler is dedicated to the history of schooling in Saarland and lets visitors trace about a thousand years of school life across several floors. The museum is run by the Stiftung Saarländisches Schulmuseum, which, according to a directory, was founded in early December 1991 by the state, the district, the town and the friends' association.
The centerpiece is two original-style teaching rooms: a schoolroom from 1910 to 1950 on the first floor and a 19th-century classroom in the attic. Further rooms cover starting school and school life, reading, writing and arithmetic, arts education, girls' education and religion, higher education and science lessons, teacher training and teachers' lives, and technical media in the classroom.
Among the oldest pieces are objects from the 16th century, including a handwritten arithmetic book from 1749, an ABC book from 1777 and a copybook from 1834. A gymnastics ground in 19th-century style shows which apparatus was used for exercise in the past. During guided tours, school classes can try out how learning used to work, such as writing with a goose quill or engraving on wax tablets.
Highlights
- Original schoolroom from 1910 to 1950
- 19th-century classroom in the attic
- Handwritten arithmetic book from 1749 and ABC book from 1777
- Gymnastics ground in 19th-century style
- Hands-on guided tours with goose quills and wax tablets
Permanent exhibitions
- Schulsaal 1910–1950 und Lehrstube des 19. Jahrhunderts – Two original-style classrooms show how teaching used to work: a schoolroom on the first floor and a classroom under the roof.
- Schulgeschichte des Saarlandes – Themed rooms on starting school, reading, writing and arithmetic, arts education, girls' education, teacher training and technical media in the classroom, with objects from the 16th century onward.
- Operated by
- Stiftung Saarländisches Schulmuseum
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €5 |
|---|---|
| Children & teens | €2.50 |
| Groups (6+ people) | €3 per personGroups of 6 or more (including school classes): adults €3, children and pupils €1.50; guided tour for up to 25 people €30 per group, plus admission. One accompanying person is free for every 10 children or young people. Booked tours can be cancelled free of charge up to 24 hours in advance. |
| Families | €10Family ticket for up to 5 people. |
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Family ticket | €10 · Family ticket for up to 5 people. |
|---|
- Family tours & workshops
- Hands-on stations
Hands-on tours for children and school classes; family ticket for up to 5 people.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Ottweiler Rathaus
Ottweiler station about 10 minutes on foot; bus stops Ottweiler Rathaus (line 355) and Ottweiler Markt (lines 302 and 344).
Ottweiler lies on the Frankfurt–Mainz–Saarbrücken railway line. By car, from the A6 (Neunkirchen junction, exit St. Wendel/B41) or from the A62 (exit Birkenfeld), take the B41 to Ottweiler.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
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Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Guided tours on weekdays by prior phone registration. On school tours, pupils can write with a goose quill, engrave notes on wax tablets and learn about historical forms of discipline such as the "Strafesel" (punishment donkey). |