Museum
FHXB Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg Museum
FHXB Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg Museum is a museum.
About FHXB Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg Museum
Overview & Identity
The FHXB Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg Museum serves as the local history museum for the Berlin borough of Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg. It defines itself not merely as a repository of artifacts but as an 'open forum' and a 'moving memory' of the district. The institution focuses on the unique social fabric of the area, characterized by the immediate coexistence of residential and commercial zones and the interweaving of diverse lifestyles, cultures, and nationalities. Its mission involves tracing the district's eventful history through exhibitions, events, and a comprehensive archive, acting as a central hub for understanding the complex urban development of this specific Berlin locality.
History & Founding
The museum was established following the 2001 administrative reform of Berlin's districts, which merged the boroughs of Friedrichshain and Kreuzberg. To reflect this new political reality, the city decided to consolidate the two existing neighborhood museums: the Kreuzberg Museum and the Heimatmuseum Friedrichshain. This amalgamation was finalized in 2002, with the exhibits from the Friedrichshain Local History Museum transferred to the Kreuzberg premises. Martin Düspohl led the museum from its founding until February 2017, guiding its development into a unified institution that addresses the shared and distinct histories of both former districts.
Building & Architecture
Since its opening in 1991 as the Kreuzberg Museum, the institution has occupied a former factory building located at Adalbertstraße 95A. This five-story brick structure was constructed in the early 1920s on a lot previously occupied by residential buildings and was originally used for industrial purposes, specifically producing furniture by the firm Reinicke & Fähnrich and wire fencing by the firm Ritzmann. Before becoming a museum, the building underwent extensive renovations and modernization, including the transformation of empty lots into a garden and the construction of a glass stairwell with an elevator to ensure accessibility for people with physical disabilities.
Collection Highlights & Notable Holdings
The museum's collection includes significant historical archives and unique artifacts that document the social history of the district. Notable holdings include negatives from the Mathesie photo studio at Adalbertstraße 11, which operated for nearly 50 years until 1993, providing a visual cross-section of Kreuzberg society. The building itself houses a historic typesetting room and printing shop on the ground floor, used for educational workshops. The collection also encompasses materials related to the district's diverse immigrant communities, particularly the Turkish guest worker population, and documents regarding social movements, house occupations, and the era of division and reunification.
Exhibitions & Significance
The museum's permanent exhibition, titled 'History in the Making! Demolition and New Beginnings at Kottbusser Tor,' guides visitors through the district's complex history, originally created in cooperation with about 60 local residents. This exhibition was renewed in 2015 to include the period from 2001 to 2015, placing greater emphasis on gentrification and the establishment of immigrant communities. Beyond its physical exhibits, the museum operates as a digital and decentralized platform, offering participatory tours and exploring topics such as anti-racist struggles and the history of street names. It stands as a significant cultural institution for preserving the 'moving memory' of a district known for its social dynamism and political activism.