Located at the former inner-German border crossing of Duderstadt/Worbis, the Eichsfeld Borderland Museum today provides information on the history of the division of Germany and Europe from 1945 to 1990 at the border between Thuringia and Lower Saxony.
The Borderland Museum is a modern learning place and invites people to engage with recent history in various ways, exploring it actively in the exhibitions, on the borderland path with original preserved East German border installations, and in the educational center.
The Duderstadt/Worbis border crossing was opened on June 21, 1973, based on the Basic Treaty for inner-German border traffic. From its inauguration until 1989, nearly 6 million travelers used the border crossing.
Through public engagement, buildings of the former border crossing were preserved after the end of East Germany and are now used as a museum and educational facility. Since 1995, the Borderland Museum has documented over 1000 square meters, the history of the German division and its overcoming. Through its events and educational offerings, it contributes to themes such as the history of East Germany and the examination of the SED dictatorship, democracy and politics in Germany and Europe, as well as ecology and environmental education at today’s Green Belt.
As an extracurricular learning place, it promotes historical-political education and strengthens awareness of democratic values — action orientation and contemporary relevance are principles of the educational work. Children and young people of all ages and school types are given the opportunity by the Borderland Museum to actively engage with topics like youth escapes, the daily life of the young generation in the SED dictatorship, or the events of the 1989 revolution. Particularly through interactive tours, project days, and discussions with contemporary witnesses, history is brought to life (tangible). The offerings are tailored to the needs and prior knowledge of different age groups and provide differentiated access.