Die Dauerausstellung im Hessischen Puppenmuseum

Finding a vision for tomorrow by glancing back into the past.

Dolls as a learning aid and
mirror of society

The Museum was founded in 1983 by Gertrud Rosemann with the support of the State of Hesse and the City of Hanau. Fascinated by the diversity of toys, she had collected outstanding and ordinary dolls since 1968 supported by her husband, Prof. Gerd Rosemann. In 1971 she decided to make the collection, which was highly regarded by experts, available to the public. In 1976 planning for the Hessian Doll Museum commenced. Beginning with European dolls, Mrs. Rosemann extended her collection as far as Japan. Concerned that toys unsuitable for children were on the increase, she also considered the Museum to be an experience for children with toys of educational value. In April 2009 the Museum’s exhibition space in the unusual atmosphere of the baroque Wilhelmsbad spa building has grown to more than 800 square metres. Further building work is about to start. More than two hundred dolls of particular interest and historical importance are on permanent display. Additional objects are shown in special exhibitions. New ways are constantly being sought to improve access to the collection for research and the public. The Museum is supported by an incorporated non-profit-making society and is thus dependent on the generosity of the members, the State of Hesse, the City of Hanau and other sponsors.

Learn more about us

Central Idea to help clarify our Vision

Central Museum for Dolls

The Hessian Doll Museum Hanau Wilhelmsbad, a special museum known worldwide, is at the same time an experience of cultural history for adults and children. It considers itself a universal museum uniting history, art and historical life across disciplines in a comprehensive synopsis of cultural history, which contains both outstanding objects and common witnesses of a past world of play.

The Doll Museum offers research opportunities for those interested at home and abroad and competent advice. We would like to make visitors more sensitive in their relationship with the traditional culture of the subject matter. We offer special tours and advice for the public.

Fine feathers make fine birds

Creating an Identity and building
Cultural Bridges

The Doll Museum also sees itself as a mediator in the dialogue between cultures. European dolls from antiquity up to the present day are contrasted with dolls from other countries. This is intended to emphasize the common elements of play as well as the differences. The Hessian Doll Museum cooperates with important partners such as the Japanese Warabekan Toy Museum. Through its intercultural character the Museum contributes to the comprehension of historical cultural epochs, international understanding and tolerance. The Doll Museum is proof that a museum can unite a regional identity with international character to a high standard which will be reflected in multilingual information after the reconstruction.

Learning and Education

Education is one of society’s most important functions. The Museum offers the opportunity to get to know traditional ideas for imparting knowledge. Cultural connections, such as religious and aesthetic ideas, are explained. The development of an educational programme as the Museum’s core not only offers ideas for visitors with particular questions in this area but can also be an inspiration for others.
An understanding of historical life models can be gained which allows innovative ideas to emerge. Here it is important to us that the perceptive faculties of individual children are taken into consideration.

Short introduction

To offer current and future generations inspiration towards understanding and enjoying historical cultural connections and for innovative work regarding conservation, research and presentation

The Hessian Doll Museum regards itself as committed to both the objects in the collection and to visitors and their needs, as well as to the Statutes of ICOM. Thus the Museum’s tasks consist of collecting, active conservation, scientific research and visitor-friendly presentation in permanent and changing exhibitions.

Collection and Expansion

The Doll Museum owns objects from antiquity to the present day from different historical and culturally diverse contexts. The Collection can be split into the following sectors:

antiquity
the baroque court
upper middle class life
toys of the general population
religious education
fashion as expression of social change
family life and educational ideas
foreign worlds

An important basis for maintaining the Collection is the scientific documentation of the objects.

Conservation

One of our most urgent aims is to ensure the best possible care of the objects. Qualified restorers support us in this aim with the emphasis on modern techniques. Thus the Hessian Doll Museum is soon expected to have its own nitrogen fumigation equipment to combat infestation by insects.

Research

Promotion of junior scientists, keeping in contact with museums and specialists throughout the world and expanding same is one of the most important aims for the future. In order to work most effectively and unbureaucratically emphasis is placed on personal contacts of the staff with other researchers. Internationally, the former Director, Gertrud Rosemann, plays a key rôle at present as “Ambassador for Japan” of the Doll Museum. The present incumbent, Dr. Maren Raetzer, cultivates intensive interdisciplinary contact.

Presentation

We see our Museum as a place of experience, offering visitors knowledge and entertainment in an unmistakable atmosphere. This includes impressive surroundings for events and a shop with a broad choice of products. One goal for the future is to integrate the historic baroque building into the concept for the exhibition and to incorporate multilingual captions. For the Museum staff all visitors are the centre of attention. They learn through daily contact about the interests and wishes of the public and adapt their work accordingly. The staff develop programmes for specialists, individual visitors and groups; pupils, families, children and senior citizens, the disabled, professional associations and conference participants. The Museum offers varied programmes, themes, museum education, annual Museum festivals, participation in the Hanau Night of the Museums, the International Museum Day and Heritage Day.

Our experts and library are available to those seeking advice.



	63454 Hanau-Wilhelmsbad - Arkadenbau (Parkpromenade 4) Öffnungszeiten: Di. bis Fr. 10:00 - 12:00 und 14:00 - 17:00 Uhr neu: Sa. und So. 10:00 bis 17:00 Uhr durchgehend geöffnet
Startseite Service/Kontakt Sonderausstellungen Dauerausstellung Termine Museumspädagogik Warabekan-Partnerschaft Publikationen Presse/Neuigkeiten Mitmachen Spenden Trägerverein Impressum aktualisiert: 28. Januar 2010	Finding a vision for tomorrow by glancing back into the past. Dolls as a learning aid and mirror of society The Museum was founded in 1983 by Gertrud Rosemann with the support of the State of Hesse and the City of Hanau. Fascinated by the diversity of toys, she had collected outstanding and ordinary dolls since 1968 supported by her husband, Prof. Gerd Rosemann. In 1971 she decided to make the collection, which was highly regarded by experts, available to the public. In 1976 planning for the Hessian Doll Museum commenced. Beginning with European dolls, Mrs. Rosemann extended her collection as far as Japan. Concerned that toys unsuitable for children were on the increase, she also considered the Museum to be an experience for children with toys of educational value. In April 2009 the Museum’s exhibition space in the unusual atmosphere of the baroque Wilhelmsbad spa building has grown to more than 800 square metres. Further building work is about to start. More than two hundred dolls of particular interest and historical importance are on permanent display. Additional objects are shown in special exhibitions. New ways are constantly being sought to improve access to the collection for research and the public. The Museum is supported by an incorporated non-profit-making society and is thus dependent on the generosity of the members, the State of Hesse, the City of Hanau and other sponsors. Learn more about us Central Idea to help clarify our Vision Central Museum for Dolls The Hessian Doll Museum Hanau Wilhelmsbad, a special museum known worldwide, is at the same time an experience of cultural history for adults and children. It considers itself a universal museum uniting history, art and historical life across disciplines in a comprehensive synopsis of cultural history, which contains both outstanding objects and common witnesses of a past world of play. The Doll Museum offers research opportunities for those interested at home and abroad and competent advice. We would like to make visitors more sensitive in their relationship with the traditional culture of the subject matter. We offer special tours and advice for the public. Fine feathers make fine birds Creating an Identity and building Cultural Bridges The Doll Museum also sees itself as a mediator in the dialogue between cultures. European dolls from antiquity up to the present day are contrasted with dolls from other countries. This is intended to emphasize the common elements of play as well as the differences. The Hessian Doll Museum cooperates with important partners such as the Japanese Warabekan Toy Museum. Through its intercultural character the Museum contributes to the comprehension of historical cultural epochs, international understanding and tolerance. The Doll Museum is proof that a museum can unite a regional identity with international character to a high standard which will be reflected in multilingual information after the reconstruction. Learning and Education Education is one of society’s most important functions. The Museum offers the opportunity to get to know traditional ideas for imparting knowledge. Cultural connections, such as religious and aesthetic ideas, are explained. The development of an educational programme as the Museum’s core not only offers ideas for visitors with particular questions in this area but can also be an inspiration for others. An understanding of historical life models can be gained which allows innovative ideas to emerge. Here it is important to us that the perceptive faculties of individual children are taken into consideration. Short introduction To offer current and future generations inspiration towards understanding and enjoying historical cultural connections and for innovative work regarding conservation, research and presentation The Hessian Doll Museum regards itself as committed to both the objects in the collection and to visitors and their needs, as well as to the Statutes of ICOM. Thus the Museum’s tasks consist of collecting, active conservation, scientific research and visitor-friendly presentation in permanent and changing exhibitions. Collection and Expansion The Doll Museum owns objects from antiquity to the present day from different historical and culturally diverse contexts. The Collection can be split into the following sectors: antiquity the baroque court upper middle class life toys of the general population religious education fashion as expression of social change family life and educational ideas foreign worlds An important basis for maintaining the Collection is the scientific documentation of the objects. Conservation One of our most urgent aims is to ensure the best possible care of the objects. Qualified restorers support us in this aim with the emphasis on modern techniques. Thus the Hessian Doll Museum is soon expected to have its own nitrogen fumigation equipment to combat infestation by insects. Research Promotion of junior scientists, keeping in contact with museums and specialists throughout the world and expanding same is one of the most important aims for the future. In order to work most effectively and unbureaucratically emphasis is placed on personal contacts of the staff with other researchers. Internationally, the former Director, Gertrud Rosemann, plays a key rôle at present as “Ambassador for Japan” of the Doll Museum. The present incumbent, Dr. Maren Raetzer, cultivates intensive interdisciplinary contact. Presentation We see our Museum as a place of experience, offering visitors knowledge and entertainment in an unmistakable atmosphere. This includes impressive surroundings for events and a shop with a broad choice of products. One goal for the future is to integrate the historic baroque building into the concept for the exhibition and to incorporate multilingual captions. For the Museum staff all visitors are the centre of attention. They learn through daily contact about the interests and wishes of the public and adapt their work accordingly. The staff develop programmes for specialists, individual visitors and groups; pupils, families, children and senior citizens, the disabled, professional associations and conference participants. The Museum offers varied programmes, themes, museum education, annual Museum festivals, participation in the Hanau Night of the Museums, the International Museum Day and Heritage Day. Our experts and library are available to those seeking advice.	Parkpromenade 4 63454 Hanau-Wilhelmsbad Tel. 06181-86212 hesspuppenmuseum@aol.com

antiquity

the baroque court

upper middle class life

toys of the general population

religious education

fashion as expression of social change

family life and educational ideas

foreign worlds