Wegemuseum Wusterhausen

About the museum

The museum tradition in Wusterhausen goes back to GDR times: in 1963 the Kreisheimatmuseum Kyritz (district local history museum) opened in the Herbst'sches Haus. Part of its holdings came from the Prignitzmuseum Heiligengrabe, whose collection had been divided up in 1952 during the district reform. With the administrative reform of 1993, the house lost its status as a district museum and its full-time management. The Kulturverein Wusterhausen (cultural association), founded in 2000, then campaigned for a new orientation, which led to the Wegemuseum in 2011.

The Herbst'sches Haus was built in 1764 after the great town fire of 1758 as one of the largest private houses in the town – a half-timbered building with a mansard hip roof and the only completely preserved Baroque courtyard ensemble in Wusterhausen. It long served as a merchant's house; after the last merchant family left for the West in 1960, the town took it over. From 2009 to 2011 it was extensively restored and today houses a museum, library, tourist information and event rooms.

Using the small town as an example, the permanent exhibition traces the changing paths from the invention of the wheel through Slavic waterways, the salt trade and Wilsnack pilgrims, postal routes and Prussian road construction to the F 5 transit route in the era of German division. More than 700 exhibits on about 300 m² are complemented by media stations.

Highlights

• Wooden dugout canoe about 800 years old
• Slavic ceremonial sword and prehistoric bronze wheel
• Original penny-farthing and bicycle installation
• Evidence on the F 5 transit route and a homemade helicopter confiscated by the Stasi
• Wusterhausen cabinet of curiosities (Wunderkammer)

Permanent exhibitions

• Wege, Verkehr und Kommunikation – The history of paths from the invention of the wheel to the inner-German transit route, told through the small town of Wusterhausen with over 700 exhibits and media stations.

Founded

2011

Operated by

Gemeinde Wusterhausen/Dosse

Director

Katharina-A. Zimmermann

Admission & discounts

Tour of the permanent exhibition €15 plus admission per person (maximum 15 people). The Family Pass of the State of Brandenburg is available in the building.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking
• 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

Entrance via a ramp with the help of a staff member – please ring the bell at the mailbox to the left of the door. Upper floor by elevator; in the exhibition only slanted mini thresholds. Touchscreens and listening stations; only of limited suitability for visitors with visual impairments. An accompanying person is recommended.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

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

Museum rallies for ages 8 to 10 and 11 to 13 are available free of charge; during school holidays there are programs for children and families. Children's birthday parties by individual arrangement.

Getting there & parking

By car via the A 24 (exit Neuruppin, toward Kyritz) or the B 5. Pilgrims on the way to Wilsnack reach the museum from the church, heading south toward the market square.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop
• Wi-Fi

Tourist information with museum shop (books, postcards, maps, souvenirs) in the foyer; library in the building; e-bike charging station.

Events & venue rental

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

Plan your visit