Historical association for Geldern and the surrounding area

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The Historical Association for Geldern und Umgegend eV is a German history association that has set itself the task of researching the history of the city and the Duchy of Geldern and the surrounding area.

The association founded on October 22, 1851 in the city of Geldern has been part of the Lower Rhine cultural scene since that year and is the second oldest historical association in the Rhineland . In its statutes, the association has set itself the task of "researching Geldrischer history and regional studies as well as maintaining regional culture". With currently around 1,500 members, it is one of the largest historical societies in Germany. It is linked in close cooperation with local archives and regional history associations. The current chairman is Gerd Halmanns.

The historical association was awarded the “ Active Citizenship - Innovation from Tradition” sponsorship award in Berlin in 2002 because it enabled the formation of a “historical European identity for the region”. He gives “groundbreaking examples” and develops “new concepts of civic co-responsibility for public life”. Working groups can be formed within the historical association. They take on special tasks in the long term or serve - for a limited time - the preparation of exhibitions, specialist conferences and publications.

Geldern Day

The money-Day is a traditional meeting of six major Dutch and German historical associations in the area of the former Duchy of funds . Every two to three years, in addition to the historical association for Geldern and the surrounding area, the Emmericher Geschichtsverein , the Heimatverein der Erkelenzer Lande , Het Limgurgs Geschieden Oudheidkundig Genootschap , the Association for Heimatpflege Viersen and the Vereniging Gelre ( Gelderland province ) take part. We also work closely with other history groups, archives and museums on both sides of the German-Dutch border.

Alliance for history with the University of Duisburg-Essen

In 2004 the historical association was able to conclude a partnership agreement with the University of Duisburg-Essen . The cities and municipalities of Straelen , Kevelaer , Geldern , Wachtendonk , Rheurdt , Issum , Kerken and Weeze have also joined this “Alliance for History” . The primary aim is to research the history of the former Duchy of Geldern , but in particular the history of the above-mentioned municipalities, and to bring them closer to the people of the Lower Rhine and the neighboring Netherlands. Conferences, book projects, lectures, archive work and the promotion of regional historical projects, for example by schoolchildren, are planned.

Library

The scientific library of the historical association for Geldern and the surrounding area is located in the Kleve district archive in Geldern and is looked after by specialist staff together with the archive holdings and the library of the Kleve district . The association's library currently comprises more than 6,000 numbers in the form of individual works and series of publications. There are also extensive collections, e.g. B. of seals and historical maps. New publications from German and Dutch archives and historical societies are constantly being added through the exchange of documents. The library holdings as well as the archive items and documents of the historical association are available to the members of the association and the public at any time in the district archive for their research.

The Lawaczeck house

Since 2001, the Historical Association for Geldern and the surrounding area has taken over the Lawaczeck house in Nieukerk as a meeting place and museum. The bright showroom on the first floor is the result of the only structural change that came with the new use. Here three smaller rooms were connected to each other in order to be able to present changing exhibitions on the history, art and culture of the lower Lower Rhine and the neighboring Netherlands. Workshops, working groups, concerts and slide presentations will also find a suitable setting there. A varied annual program should not only appeal to the members of the historical association, which has been researching history - especially the German part of the Gelderland - since 1851.

public relation

The regular autumn and winter program includes a series of lectures on the history , archeology , folklore , literature and art of the region. Another working group offers between 15 and 20 day, half-day and multi-day trips annually. Excursions to Belgian and Dutch locations that have historical ties to the German Gelderland and that focus on common roots are of particular interest.

Since 1899, the historical association has published a series of publications annually, which are given to members as an annual gift free of charge. In addition, special publications appear at irregular intervals.

The Geldrische Heimatkalender has been edited and published by the Historical Association since 1977 . In addition to an annually changing town portrait, the topics of current affairs from Gelderland , nature and landscape , history and art , archeology, folklore, literature and language are dealt with in words and pictures .

Karl Heinz Tekath Prize

From 1988 until his sudden death in December 2004, Karl-Heinz Tekath was in charge of the Kleve district archive in Geldern. At the same time he was on the board of the historical association for Geldern and the surrounding area.

One of his many merits was the increased opening of the archive to a large number of people. Communicating history to adolescents and young adults was particularly close to his heart. He has supported many pupils, students and doctoral candidates with great commitment in technical or research work.

He has always promoted cross-border work with Dutch archives, history associations and museums. The major project on the “Duchy of Geldern” in 2001 and 2002 would have been inconceivable without him. The partnerships of the historical association with the eight municipalities of the German Gelderland as well as with the University of Duisburg-Essen go back to his initiative. In order to keep the memory of Tekath and his achievements for the history of the Lower Rhine region alive, the historical association has announced a sponsorship award. Since 2006 , every two years in spring, young, committed, technically outstanding scientists who have distinguished themselves in the field of regional history have been honored. The prize is associated with a donation of € 2,500.

This includes

  • the history of the lower Lower Rhine,
  • the history of German-Dutch relations in the region, particularly with regard to
  • the history and culture of the Gelderland since the times of the county and duchy of Geldern until today and
  • the history of the former district of Geldern since 1815.

In the spirit of Karl-Heinz Tekath, the work of the award winners should shed light on the roots of regional culture and its significance for the present. The maximum age at the time of the proposal is 35 years.

literature

  • Karl Keller: History of the historical association for funds and the surrounding area . Geldern 1968 (publication of the Historical Association for Geldern and Surroundings No. 66).

Web links

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ The Historical Association for Geldern and Surroundings. In: Rheinische Heimatpflege . Vol. 28, No. 4, 1991, ISSN  0342-1805 , p. 304.