Richard-Brandt-Heimatmuseum

Description

In the historic centre of Bissendorf, the Richard-Brandt-Heimatmuseum Wedemark offers insights into regional cultural and everyday history. The museum's buildings are situated in the village centre close to the Amtshaus, the former residence of the Amtsvögte of the formerly independent Amtsvogtei Bissendorf.

The collection traces back to the initiatives of Richard Brandt, who began collecting local objects in 1953. In 1963 the holdings were transferred to the municipality of Wedemark. Initially the collection was housed in the Amtshaus; later it found its place in the Kavalierhaus. After extensive renovations in 1999, the museum now presents itself in both historic buildings, the Kavalierhaus and the neighbouring former Amtskrug.

On the top floor of the former Amtskrug (built 1792, today the municipal library) the exhibition spans from the last Ice Age to rural labour from the 18th century and into more recent history. Displayed are implements and materials for soil cultivation, beekeeping and flax processing, as well as representations of handicrafts, the village school and a model of a church. Biographical collections recall personalities connected to the Wedemark, including Gottfried August Bürger, Georg Heinrich Busse and Hinrich Braasch.

The Kavalierhaus (built 1629) presents on the ground floor the living conditions of the early 20th century; on the upper floor paintings by the artist couple Ursula and Peter Greve are on display. Workshop exhibits of a violin maker illustrate instrument making; the violins shown are compared in tonal quality with the Cremona tradition. A dedicated display is devoted to the world of clocks, with historic pocket watches, watchmaker's tools, the transition to the wristwatch and unusual longcase clocks. The offerings are complemented by an extensive fossil collection, which also includes fossil inclusions from the Solnhofen limestone and skeletal remains of a close relative of the prehistoric bird Archaeopteryx.