The Wende Museum

Archives/Collections

Description

A privately funded collection of artifacts, papers, and photographs documenting the roughly forty years during which the the German Democratic Republic (GDR) existed alongside West Germany (FRG) as a Soviet satellite under a planned economy and as a military dictatorship, prior to "reunification" (the "Wende" in German) with the West in 1990. Highlighted in the collections are passport control operations opposite "Checkpoint Charlie", the perpetual surveillance of its citizens, the "Stalinallee" and the "Palace of the Republic", the phenomenon of the Berlin Wall as flashpoint in the Cold War, as well as GDR achievements in art and material culture. The Museum owns a complete set of the Communist Party daily newspaper, "Neues Deutschland" along with several thousand books and journals published for East German readers, for whom travel was closely restricted.

Public programs introduce speakers with experiences dating from the Cold War. Student interns from local colleges are trained in the techniques of archival processing, and visitors are welcomed at no charge, either by appointment, or on regular Open House days.

Catalog System

Archival materials and artefacts are cataloged by accession number and included in finding aids. Secondary materials, such as published books, are cataloged using Library of Congress call numbers and subject headings.

Exhibited

The museum creates exhibits and has historically loaned items for off-site exhibits.

Outreach

Internet, Newsletter, Brochure/Flyer/Pamphlet

Facilities

On-Site Technology

No

Workspaces

Yes

Open to the Public

Yes

Public Hours

Friday, Saturday and Sunday: 10AM - 5PM

Guided tours offered at 1PM (limited to ten participants).

Research Hours

By appointment

Access Procedures

Collections may be used by appointment.