Schulmuseum Reckahn

About the museum

The schoolhouse in Reckahn is itself the most important exhibit. The enlightened estate owner Friedrich Eberhard von Rochow and his wife Christiane Louise had it built at their own expense; lessons began in January 1773, in the new building from 1774. With the teacher Heinrich Julius Bruns, a two-class rural school emerged here with humane teaching based on conversation and observation. It soon came to be regarded as a model school, was visited by over 1,100 guests from all over Europe until 1805, and shaped the Prussian elementary school of the 19th century. Rochow's reader "Der Kinderfreund" reached a print run of over a million copies.

Lessons were held in the schoolhouse until 1946, after which the village school moved to the palace. After first exhibitions on Rochow in the palace from 1984, the schoolhouse was renovated in 1991/92 and opened as a school museum on February 26, 1992; the founder and first director was the educator Otto Günther Beckmann. Since 1996, the district of Potsdam-Mittelmark has been the operator, supported by the Förderverein "Historisches Reckahn" (friends' association).

Since 2001, the Rochow Museum in the neighboring palace has complemented the offering; both houses are managed jointly and offer a combination ticket. After a renovation, a new permanent exhibition opened in 2017, created in cooperation with the University of Potsdam. In seven rooms, it leads from Rochow's rural school through the Prussian elementary school reform to the region's school history in the 20th century.

Highlights

• Historic classroom from around 1915 with desks for 25 "students"
• Historical school lessons and penmanship to experience
• Original model schoolhouse of 1773/74
• Rochow's reader "Der Kinderfreund" and the work of the teacher Bruns
• Collection of teaching aids and school wall charts of the 19th and 20th centuries
• Film and audio station comparing two teaching methods

Permanent exhibitions

• Dauerausstellung Schulmuseum Reckahn – Seven rooms on Rochow's model school, the teacher Bruns and the "Kinderfreund," Prussian school reform, and the change in general science teaching – with a historic classroom and project workshop on regional school history.

Founded

1992

Operated by

Landkreis Potsdam-Mittelmark

Director

Dr. Silke Siebrecht-Grabig

Admission & discounts

Prices valid from September 1, 2026.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits
• Sign language tours
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

First floor with a step-free restroom; the exhibition rooms on the second floor can only be reached by a steep staircase, and door thresholds are present. Tactile tours for people with and without visual impairments as well as inclusive tours by registration; school desks, slates, and calculating devices may be touched.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Hands-on stations

In the historic classroom, children can sit at old school desks and write on slates. Museum cases and the digital outdoor game "Der Schatz von Reckahn" (The Treasure of Reckahn) invite exploration; in the summer holidays there are children's holiday days, and every two years a historical school festival.

Getting there & parking

By car via the A2, exit Brandenburg toward Bad Belzig, from Rotscherlinde toward Krahne/Reckahn.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop

Museum café in the neighboring palace (Rochow Museum), March to mid-December Sat, Sun, and public holidays 13:30–17:30. Museum shop with publications.

Events & venue rental

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

Plan your visit