Stadtmuseum Kassel

About the museum

Kassel's city council decided in 1978 to establish a museum of city history; in 1979 Karl-Hermann Wegner became its first director, a post he held until 2006. The museum initially moved on a provisional basis into the Kulturhaus on Ständeplatz, a building designed by Albert Scholtz and built from 1869 to 1871, which had been badly damaged in World War II and restored in the 1950s. When the search for another location proved unsuccessful, the listed building became its permanent home in 1986.

In 2010 the museum closed for a complete structural renovation. Damp and pollutants in the old building delayed the work considerably, so the reopening, originally planned for 2013, did not take place until June 18, 2016. A new extension, the "Geschichtsturm" (history tower), significantly enlarged the exhibition space; its top level, the "KasselBlick," offers views over the city. Since then the museum has also had rooms for special exhibitions, a library, a cinema, a workshop and a museum shop.

With around 700 objects, the permanent exhibition guides visitors through more than 1,100 years of city history – from the first mention of Kassel in 913, through its time as a royal residence and the 19th century with its constitutional struggle and Prussian annexation, Jewish life, the Weimar Republic, National Socialism and wartime destruction, to reconstruction and the present day. The museum is run by the City of Kassel and supported by the Verein der Freunde des Stadtmuseums (friends' association).

Highlights

• Kassel's oldest surviving city map from 1547, digitally animated
• Model of the destroyed city in May 1945
• Media installation on the Weimar Republic, the Nazi era and wartime destruction
• Section on Jewish life in Kassel
• KasselKino showing films on the city's history
• "KasselBlick" viewing level in the history tower

Permanent exhibitions

• Dauerausstellung zur Kasseler Stadtgeschichte – Spread over several floors, around 700 objects lead from the first mention of the city in 913 to the present, with city maps, models, media installations and the KasselKino.
• Neu im Museum – A changing selection of recent additions to the collection, showing the diversity of the city's history.

Founded

1979

Operated by

Stadt Kassel

Director

Prof. Dr. Kai Füldner

Admission & discounts

Free admission also for members of the Verein Freunde des Stadtmuseums Kassel, BVGD tour guides, and holders of an ICOM or Museumsbund card, Kulturticket, MeineCard+ and AuszeitCard+.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• 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

According to the City of Kassel, the entrance is accessible.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Kids’ birthday parties

Workshops, children's tours, and interactive city walks; audio guide "Museumslauscher" made by children for children, as well as Actionbound games. Birthday parties for ages 6 to 13 (about 2 hours, various themes). Free admission under 18.

Getting there & parking

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop
• Wi-Fi

Museum shop and library; free Wi-Fi "FreeWiFi – Stadt Kassel."

Events & venue rental

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

Plan your visit