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The Haus der Geschichte (House of History) in Bonn remains Germany’s most vital time capsule, but as of early 2026, it is no longer just a repository for the past. Reopened in December 2025 after a comprehensive 14-month redevelopment, the museum has undergone a €25 million transformation. This overhaul wasn't just a "fresh coat of paint"; it fundamentally shifted the museum’s perspective from a top-down political chronicle to a deeply personal, interactive narrative of Germany since 1945.
"You Are Part of History"
The heart of the new experience is the guiding motto, "Du bist Teil der Geschichte" (You Are Part of History). From the moment you enter, a sophisticated media installation blends your live silhouette with historical footage, making you a "participant" in moments like the fall of the Berlin Wall or the 1954 World Cup victory. This technological leap reflects the museum's new philosophy: history is not a static list of dates, but a living dialogue shaped by the everyday actions and experiences of individual citizens.
A Rebalanced Narrative
One of the most critical structural changes in the 2026 iteration is the rebalancing of floor space. Historically, the museum was heavily weighted toward the early post-war years and the Cold War era. The redesign now gives the 35 years since reunification (post-1990) equal weight to the 45 years that preceded it. This ensures that contemporary issues - such as the digital revolution, the complexities of European integration, and the socio-political shifts of the 2020s - receive the nuanced attention they deserve for a modern audience.
Iconic and Poignant Artifacts
The museum continues to house its "heavy hitters," like Konrad Adenauer's Mercedes 300 and the "Raisin Bomber" cargo plane, but they are now joined by powerful new symbols of the 21st century. Among the 3,800 objects, visitors will find a mud-caked doll recovered from the 2021 Ahr Valley floods and a protest treehouse representing climate activism. These recent additions serve as a visceral bridge between historical memory and the pressing challenges of the present day, ensuring the exhibition feels immediate and urgent.
Democracy in Action
Ultimately, the redesigned Haus der Geschichte functions as a forum for civic engagement. The exhibition concludes in a vibrant "Today" section, featuring "Voting Islands" where visitors can cast their opinions on current social debates while sitting in authentic, black-leather chairs from the old Bonn Bundestag. It’s a clever touch of wit - letting you literally take a seat in history to decide the future. By the time you leave, the museum has made its point: history hasn't ended; you are currently writing the next chapter.
Sad as it may be, government survey shows that 99% of artifacts sold at the Urumchi Bazaar are counterfeits...
Artifact,
Artist: Sergey Tyukanov (Russian)
Puzzle pieces design by Seattle artist Maria Berg
size:11"x14.5"
Made in USA
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This shot can also be found in a group called Route Artifacts. Please come check the others in the group.
The decoration and tempering of a piece of pottery helps establish the time period in which it was made.
Stone artifacts indicate the kinds of weapons and tools made by the Plum Bayou people and indicate trade networks that supplied raw materials.
19th century bottle embossed “R. A. SHINN / GEO. TOWN, DC.” Bottle was manufactured by Riley A. Shinn, whose plant was located at 30th and Olive Street. The plant supplied carbonated liquors, malt drinks, beer and ale to the entire District of Columbia during the Civil War period.
Photo by Jerry A. McCoy.
This tidy blanket roll is based on the title-page illustration of "Tales of an American Hobo," Charles Elmer Fox's 1989 memoir. Known as "Reefer Charlie" (a reefer is a refrigerator car on a train), Fox mingles personal reminiscence, a philosophy of liberty and responsibility, and a love for free travel by the scenic route.
The use of the blanket roll and other techniques for sleeping warm and dry outdoors echo the skills needed for wilderness travel and military service in the field. Hobo folklore stresses the values of skills for outdoor living and safe, successful travel, and the virtues of handling oneself and one's gear properly.
ID: a snip of the cotton fibers from the swab with the dark debris (wax, dirt) between the fibers caused this pattern.
Collection method: Cotton swab. Portions of swab containing exudate trimmed with clean suture scissors and dropped into mineral oil.
Specimen collected 4/10/11 from "Charcoal", 12 y.o. castrated male DLH Smoke. Long term RMFR shelter resident suffering from an accumulation of wax and debris AU. NSF from smear.
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This shot can also be found in a group called Route Artifacts. Please come check the others in the group.
Delicately knotted on waxed cotton cord,vintage key charms with canary colored vintage beads and faceted olive glass beads.
in my shop!
So far from July 4th, it's nice to see a little patriotism every once in a while.
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This shot can also be found in a group called Route Artifacts. Please come check the others in the group.