Pasewalker City Museum
The Pasewalker Stadtmuseum , which can be found in Prenzlauer Tor , achieved particular importance through its collection of works by the Pomeranian artist Paul Holz .
history
The idea of an own museum for and about regional history dominated the thoughts of the Pasewalker population for a long time. The first concrete proposal came at the beginning of the 20th century when consideration was given to using the Prenzlauer Tor as a city museum instead of tearing it down. The Provincial Curator Hugo Lemcke was particularly committed to this, but it was not until 1913 that a permit was granted, which was put on hold when the war broke out. It was not until the 1920s that the idea was picked up again and the first public exhibition of private loans was organized under the direction of Professor Asmus and the local branch of the Society for Pomeranian History and Antiquity .
The renewed outbreak of war destroyed these efforts and it was not until the 1950s that calls for a new exhibition were loud. This time, however, it should not only be a short-term, but the cornerstone of a museum facility. One of the most important points on the way to founding a museum was the 700th anniversary celebration of Pasewalk in 1951. For this celebration it was possible to organize an exhibition about the local history of the city, what the importance and the usefulness of its own city museum made clear.
This topic was raised more and more often in cultural and communal gatherings, such as in 1972, when the local branch of the Kulturbund included this task in its work program. Support was provided by the “Heimatgeschichte und Ortschronik” working group founded on July 14, 1973. More and more residents were committed to the project, but it was impossible to realize it due to the lack of premises that had the right conditions.
In order to find a solution to this problem, a discussion between the local leadership and the working group took place on June 26, 1973. There both the proposal to use the Prenzlauer Tor and possible financing were discussed. As a result of this meeting, the district administration took the initiative for this project.
A first, big step towards the realization of the project took place in 1974 when the architect Josef Walter was hired, who planned the expansion of the Prenzlauer Tor over the next two years. However, this was not actually implemented, so that only a cleaning of the interior took place.
Ultimately, August 1, 1987, marked the turning point in the history of the museum, as the creation of a full-time position for the construction of a museum was established on this day. Within a year, J. Walter's plans were adapted to the new conditions, so that on April 1, 1988, after three attempts were unsuccessful, preparations for the renovation of the Prenzlauer Tor could begin. This construction work was supplemented by the construction of a new building, which was completed in 1993. Furthermore, in 1995 it was decided to buy up the open space between the gate and Kalandstraße in order to build a museum garden.
A first step to show this achievement and its benefits took place in 1994 and 1995 when a first exhibition of local history exhibits was presented in the annex.
The concrete renovation work on the gate started on January 3, 1994 and one year later, on January 30, 1995, construction of the future crossing began.
Five stages were gradually implemented. These were on the one hand the construction of the outbuilding from 1990 to 1993 and on the other hand the renovation of the gate feet from 1990 to 1992, the expansion of the gate from 1994 to 1995, the construction of the crossing from 1995 to 1996 and, last but not least, in the same years Design of the open spaces.
The museum was officially opened on May 9, 1996. Museum Day has also been held annually since 1999. The lecture series “Wednesdays in the museum” is one of the new ideas.
Premises
The Pasewalker Museum consists of the premises in Prenzlauer Tor and the adjoining building. Both are connected by a glass transition.
For a long time it was considered how and where the entrance to the museum should be placed, since the original entrance of the gate above the gate passage cannot be used without restrictions due to the traffic. A side staircase was suggested as a solution, before considering in January 1988 to use the nearby half-timbered house. This is located east of the gate and presented the possibility of using a transition to a new gate opening. Due to the structural substance, however, a decision was made against this variant. Instead, the decision to build a new building was passed.
After purchasing the old building and the property belonging to it, a new house was built within a few years, which stylistically reminds of the historic half-timbered buildings of Pasewalk.
The museum also includes the museum garden, which houses a memorial to Paul Holz and is laid out along the city wall. Furthermore, this garden houses a stage that is regularly used for events. In order to provide some peace and seclusion, the museum garden is enclosed by a small wall, which is reminiscent of the city wall in terms of its design.
The Pasewalker Stadtmuseum uses a total of four floors in Prenzlauer Tor (only accessible via stairs), the connecting corridor, the auxiliary building and the museum garden to present its exhibitions and fulfill its culture-promoting tasks.
Exhibitions
In addition to the permanent museum pieces, there are regular special exhibitions on various regional-specific topics.
For example, at the end of 2008 the range of permanent exhibitions was completely redesigned, with four main themes emerging. These are presented on the 229 m² exhibition space in Prenzlauer Tor and its adjoining building.
The exhibitions cover the themes of the 7,000-year-old cultural history of the region between Uecker and Randow as well as the town and garrison history of Pasewalk. The last permanent exhibition covers the life and work of the Pomeranian artist Paul Holz.
In the glass passage as well as in the attic of the adjoining building, the museum presents its exhibition on prehistory , which covers the period from the first hunters and collectors in the "Two River Land" of Uecker and Randow to the Slavic settlement of the region.
The first floor in Prenzlauer Tor is dedicated to the eventful history of Pasewalk from 1251 to 1989. Both the early times, starting in the Middle Ages through the Thirty Years War to the transformation into a garrison town , as well as the later historical events, such as the destruction in the Second World War and the subsequent planned construction until 1989, are represented by exhibits and display boards for the Visitors pointed out.
Special attention is paid to the 270-year history of the city's garrison, which is honored with a separate exhibition. Uniform skirts and other militaria show the traditions and history of the glorious Pasewalker cavalry regiments of dragoons and queen cuirassiers. Based on these exhibits, a development curve can be drawn from the entry of the Prussian dragoon regiment into the city in 1721 to the departure of the last units of the Bundeswehr in 1992.
The artist memorial for the famous pen-and-ink artist Paul Holz is just one flight higher. 100 originals by this artist are in the museum's possession, 24 of which are exhibited in the gallery in a regularly changing cycle.
Since 2009, the top floor of the Prenzlauer Tor has been rearranged to the "Paul-Holz-Zimmer" so that parts of the draftsman's original furniture and household items are now presented. These come from the estate of his daughter Christiane Holz (1918–2006).
literature
- Concept agency and advertising medium GmbH: Uns' Poswalk Bd. 1 , Pasewalk 1997
- Concept agency and advertising medium GmbH: Uns' Poswalk Bd. 4 , Pasewalk 2002
- City of Pasewalk: Festschrift for the 750th anniversary of the city of Pasewalk: 1251–2001; from the history of the city of Pasewalk , Pasewalk 2001
Web links
Coordinates: 53 ° 30 ′ 5.7 ″ N , 13 ° 59 ′ 14 ″ E