Theodor-Heuss-Museum der Stadt Brackenheim

About the museum

Brackenheim is the birthplace of Theodor Heuss, who was born here in 1884 and spent the first six years of his life here. As early as 1968, the town set up a first memorial in the Obertorhaus, the former district office prison, for its honorary citizen. His birthplace itself stood diagonally opposite; it was demolished after World War II with Heuss's consent, and a memorial stone marks the spot.

After a complete redesign, the building opened on August 5, 2000, as the Theodor Heuss Museum under municipal sponsorship. The concept relies on large-format video installations: the vaulted cellar covers childhood, origins and the landscape of the Zabergäu, the ground floor covers Heuss as a journalist, writer and member of parliament in the Weimar Republic, and the upper floor covers his role in building the Federal Republic and his term as head of state. The films are complemented by text panels, photos and selected original pieces.

In 2013, the section "Der schreibende Präsident" (The Writing President) on Heuss and literature was added, which was developed in-house, first traveled as a touring exhibition through numerous venues and then moved into the attic floor. The seminar room and reference library are also located there. The museum includes an educational partnership with Brackenheim's elementary schools, themed tours and annual events around Heuss's birthday on January 31.

Highlights

• Video installations on Heuss on three floors
• President's chair from the study of the first Federal President
• Section "Der schreibende Präsident" on Heuss and literature
• Memorial stone at the site of the birthplace opposite
• Bronze statue of Theodor Heuss in front of the museum

Permanent exhibitions

• Von Brackenheim nach Berlin, von Wilhelm bis Hitler – The ground floor traces Heuss's path from his youth in Heilbronn to the end of the Weimar Republic with an autobiographical video installation and documents.
• Von Berlin bis Bonn, vom inneren Emigranten zum Bundespräsidenten – The upper floor focuses on the years under the Nazi regime, the work on the Basic Law and his term as the first Federal President.
• Der schreibende Präsident. Theodor Heuss und die Literatur – The section on the attic floor shows Heuss as an editor, biographer, critic and friend of many writers.

Founded

2000

Operated by

Stadt Brackenheim

Director

Dr. Giovanna-Beatrice Carlesso

Admission & discounts

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: not available
• 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 its own statement, the museum is not yet accessible; in particular, the exhibition on the upper and attic floors is not accessible to wheelchair users.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide

For children and teenagers there is a quiz through the exhibition. Elementary school classes from Brackenheim visit the museum as part of an educational partnership with a child-friendly program.

Getting there & parking

Amenities & dining

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

Events & venue rental

• Weddings / ceremonies

Civil wedding ceremonies as well as events, readings and conferences take place in the seminar room on the attic floor.

Plan your visit