Volkskundliches Gerätemuseum Bergnersreuth

About the museum

The museum's foundation is a collection of folk-culture tools that a working group of the Arzberg local chapter of the Fichtelgebirgsverein gathered from 1971. The driving force was the master wheelwright Hans-Günther Tröger. The collection grew so quickly that integration into the Fichtelgebirgsmuseum Wunsiedel failed; the town of Arzberg instead offered a farm in Bergnersreuth, acquired in 1980, as a location.

In 1985, a special-purpose association was formed by the district of Wunsiedel, the town of Arzberg, and the Fichtelgebirgsverein. After renovation of the farm, conversion of the barn into a multi-story exhibition building, and construction of an administration building with a teaching kitchen, the museum opened in 1993. The residential building with stable, built in 1921 – unusually modern for its time with electric light and running water – was preserved together with its rich stencil paintings as an open-air setting.

In the barn, the permanent exhibition deals with agriculture, transport, and food preservation in the Fichtelgebirge. Later the large Weiß'sche Landschaftskrippe (landscape nativity scene) from Marktredwitz was added. Since 2009 the museum has been managed jointly with the Fichtelgebirgsmuseum Wunsiedel; together they form the Fichtelgebirgsmuseen. Garden, field, and farm animals complement the exhibition outdoors.

Highlights

• Residential building from 1921 with stable and elaborate stencil painting
• Exhibition on agriculture, transport, and preservation in the barn
• Weiß'sche Landschaftskrippe (landscape nativity scene) with about 1,800 clay figures
• Farm garden, field with regional crops, and Coburg fox sheep
• Trabant as an escape vehicle from 1989

Permanent exhibitions

• Landwirtschaft, Transport und Konservierung – On three floors of the converted barn, the focus is on the path to modern agriculture in the barren Fichtelgebirge, on means of transport from carrying water to the Trabant, and on preserving food.
• Wohnhaus und Stall – The farmhouse built in 1921, highly modern at the time, shows living conditions around 1920 along with rich stencil painting on walls and floors.
• Weiß’sche Krippe – Large Marktredwitz landscape nativity scene on about 200 square meters with an oriental and an Alpine section.

Founded

1993

Operated by

Zweckverband Fichtelgebirgsmuseen

Director

Dr. Sabine Zehentmeier-Lang

Admission & discounts

Accessibility

• Partially 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
• Audio description: no information

According to the museum, only partly accessible. Description of the museum in Easy Language and sign language videos on the website.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

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

Museum rally "Bauernhofexpedition" for 6- to 12-year-olds (about 40 min., €0.50 per worksheet plus admission). Children's birthday party "Der Schatz des Dreigroschenbauern" for ages 6–10 with laundry washing or butter churning and a treasure hunt (about 2 hours, €60 including admission, max. 12 children, at least one adult as a companion). Next to the museum are a playground and a public barbecue area; sheep live on the farm.

Getting there & parking

The B 303 runs 3 km north of Arzberg and joins the A9 near Bad Berneck; via the A93 Hof–Regensburg take exit Thiersheim or Mitterteich.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

Museum shop. Administration building with teaching kitchen and event room.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events

Up to 150 guests.

Cow barn, garden, atrium, teaching kitchen, and event room for celebrations, anniversaries, and events with 20 to 150 people; rules of use and costs available as a download.

Plan your visit