Museum of Local History, Aken (Elbe)

The “Schiffer- und Heimatmuseum,” a museum dealing with the history of the town and its involvement in inland navigation, is an integral part of Aken, offering special exhibitions, museum/monument days and complementary events during the town’s festivals. Open every Sunday, the museum is run by volunteers, but also supported by the city, and contributes significantly to the cultural identity of Aken.

In 1926, the Aken Museum of Local History was founded by members of the Aken Teachers’ Association in the Nolopp School upon an initiative by Paul Liebert.

In 1943, the museum’s exhibits were taken into municipal custody and stored in St. Nicholas for safekeeping. Unfortunately, many objects were lost due to the looting at the end of the war.

From 1947 onwards, the collections were restored by the teachers Volleck and Liebert. In 1949, the museum found a new home in a part of what is now the day care center (Kita) Borstel. Under the guise of the new director Heinrich Minge and aided by a museum advisory board, regular visits and special exhibitions became possible again.

From 1959 onwards, Otto Benecke managed the museum, which moved to the Berliner Hof in 1960. It is still located there today. Over the years, the city invested in the museum again and again. But it was not until 1997 that an extensive reconstruction began, supplemented by a courtyard-side extension. The museum reopened in 2001, shortly before its 75th anniversary, and is now advertised as a museum for local history and inland navigation.