Deutsches Blinden-Museum

Description

In Berlin's Steglitz district, the Deutsches Blindenmuseum offers insights into the technology, education and everyday culture of people who are blind. It is currently located on the grounds of the Johann-August-Zeune-Schule at Rothenburgstraße 14 and occupies the former director's apartment of the school for the blind.

The museum was originally founded in 1891 at the Royal Institute for the Blind in Steglitz. Its history was eventful: in 1906 the collection moved into its own building with more than 250 m² of exhibition space. During the years 1943 to 1945 the museum suffered losses, although a large part of the library and archive was preserved. In 1945 the house had to be closed because of a lack of rooms; holdings were stored in cellars and attics, which led to damage and further losses. After a reopening in 1956 — on the occasion of the 150th anniversary of blind education in Germany — the exhibits were initially shown in the former preschool building. In 1971 it closed again because the rooms were needed for other purposes. Since 1983 the museum has been established at its present location.

On around 100 m² of exhibition space the museum presents assistive devices, braille books, writing implements, games and everyday objects used by people who are blind. Impressive historic devices illustrate major inventions, including those by Oskar Picht, and complementary electronic aids demonstrate technology from professional life. The archive and library have not yet been fully catalogued. The exhibition is divided (as of 2024) into five sections: "Tracing Hogwarts with a finger – feeling or listening to books", "Seeing and feeling writing – embossed scripts of the 18th and 19th centuries", "Louis Braille gets to the point – the development of braille", "Braille opens up worlds – work and education thanks to braille" and "Pluses in everyday life – assistive devices for people who are blind".