For more than 40 years…
Germany was divided in two different states by an almost 1,400 km long border. A border which the GDR secured with an inhuman border regime including mines, metal fences, restricted areas and forced resettlements. A border between a liberal democracy and an authoritarian dictatorship. A border which separated families and structures that had evolved over hundreds of years. One of the regions which suffered most from this border was the divided Eichsfeld region.
Today…
The Borderland Museum Eichsfeld is located at the site of the former inner-German border crossing point Duderstadt/Worbis. This border crossing point was established on June 21th 1973 after the German Democratic Republic and the Federal Republic of Germany had agreed on rules for border traffic in the “Basic Treaty”. Until 1989 nearly 6 million travelers used this border crossing point, a small opening in a fortified “Iron Curtain”.
Chronicle
From border crossing point to museum
1945
As a consequence of the crimes of the Nazi dictatorship between 1933 and 1945 and the Second World War, Germany is being occupied by the Allied forces. In 1949, the Federal Republic of Germany is founded as a liberal democracy in the three Western zones while in the Soviet zone a communist dictatorship, the German Democratic Republic (GDR), is formed.
Further Stages of German Division
1952
In May/June 1952, the GDR starts fortifying the inner-German border. Connections between the two German states are cut off. This concerns almost all road and railroad connections, including the main road between Worbis (Thuringia) and Duderstadt (Lower Saxony).
1972
In December 1972 the “Basics Treaty” between East and West Germany is ratified. As one of its consequences, four new inner-German border crossing points are built, including the one in the Eichsfeld region.
1973
In June 1973, the border crossing point Duderstadt-Worbis is inaugurated. Until 1989 it is primarily used by West Germans for one- or two-day family visits in the East.
1989/1990
Mass escapes from the GDR as well as mass protests take place from late summer and autumn 1989. As a result of public pressure, the inner German border crossing points are opened up on November 9th 1989 and the following days. The very last border controls only end on June 30th 1990. On October 3rd 1990 Germany is reunified.
The History of the Museum
1995
On November 11th 1995, the Borderland Museum Eichsfeld is opened inside what used to be an administration and control building of the former East German border crossing point Worbis. Successively the museum is extended by exhibitions in other preserved buildings, such as former observation towers and customs buildings.
2000
In June 2000 an educational center was added to the museum’s facilities. It is located inside the former canteen building of the border crossing point. The building holds seminar rooms, a library and the archive. The same year, the 6 km long Borderland Trail was overhauled with information panels.
2010
A new multimedia exhibition is opened and includes a newly built visitor center.
2012
In 2012, the observation tower of the East German border troops on the Borderland Trail was refurbished and reopened. It can be visited during guided tours. Also, a new exhibition pavilion about the European Green Belt was opened on the museum’s areal the following year.
2016
Until 2016, the Borderland Museum Eichsfeld had been managed in an honorary capacity. With the partial reorientation of the museum and its educational offers, the program includes various offers for people of all ages and backgrounds.
2019/2020
On the anniversary of 30 years since the Peaceful Revolution, the opening of the border and the re-unification of Germany, the Borderland Museum offered many cultural activities and events. Among them was a big light and sound art installation in November 2019.
Our team
Contact persons
Patrick Hoffmann
Public Relations and Events
Telefon: 036071/900040
E-Mail: p.hoffmann@grenzlandmuseum.de
Educational Program
Georg Baumert
Environmental Education (Green Belt)
Telefon: 036071/900014
E-Mail: g.baumert@grenzlandmuseum.de
Franziska Bierwirth
Teaching Staff (History)
Telefon: 036071/900012
E-Mail: f.bierwirth@grenzlandmuseum.de
Sandy Konradi-Rieche
Teaching Staff (Politics)
Telefon: 036071/900012
E-Mail: s.konradi@grenzlandmuseum.de
Library and Archive
Federal Programme “Live Democracy!”
Association
Nonprofit organization and legal entity
The supporting association of the Borderland Museum Eichsfeld was founded in 1996 and today has around 200 members.
The association runs the Borderland Museum. With the museum it aims to document the division of Germany and the Eichsfeld region and to take responsibility for a democratic and peaceful development in today’s Germany.
The museum is to make an important contribution to historical-political education and the creation of a critical awareness of history.
Presidency
HORST DORNIEDEN
President
WOLFGANG NOLTE
Vice President
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IBAN: DE96 2605 1260 0001 3819 61
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Networks
Links and information about our partners
The Borderland Museum Eichsfeld is an active member in the following networks of memorial sites, museums and institutions dealing with the contemporary history of Germany (information below in German):
Thüringer Geschichtsverbund zur Aufarbeitung der SED-Diktatur
Im Jahr 2009 gründete sich der Thüringer Geschichtsverbund, um Akteur*innen der Aufarbeitung der SED-Diktatur in Thüringen in ihrer Zusammenarbeit und Vielfalt zu bestärken und besser zu vernetzen.
Der Geschichtsverbund hat über 20 Mitglieder bestehend aus Erinnerungsorten, Gedenkstätten, Beratungsstellen und historisch-politischen Bildungseinrichtungen.
Im Geschichtsverbund werden Themen diskutiert und Positionen formuliert, die dann gemeinsam vertreten werden. Der regelmäßige Erfahrungs- und Meinungsaustausch bereichert und bestärkt die Arbeit.
Von 2014 bis 2021 hatte das Grenzlandmuseum Eichsfeld den Vorsitz im Thüringer Geschichtsverbund.
In der Mitte Deutschlands haben sich zwei Museen und zwei KZ-Gedenkstätten zusammengeschlossen: KZ-Gedenkstätte Moringen • KZ-Gedenkstätte Mittelbau Dora • Grenzlandmuseum Eichsfeld • Museum Friedland.
Hier überschneiden sich zeitgeschichtliche Themen und ergänzen einander.
Gemeinsam laden wir ein, an diesen besonderen historischen Orten Geschichte(n) und ihre Zusammenhänge zu verstehen. Zeitgeschichte steht im Zentrum und verbindet.
Das Netzwerk „Stätten des Eisernen Vorhangs“ verbindet zwölf Einrichtungen und Orte miteinander, die beispielhaft Aspekte der einstigen Systemkonfrontation in der Zeit des Kalten Krieges und der Teilung Deutschlands und Europas verkörpern.
Der Verbund wurde im Jahre 2011 mit dem Europäischen Kulturerbesiegel ausgezeichnet. Die beteiligten Einrichtungen haben es sich zur Aufgabe gemacht, die einstige Bedrohung, aber auch deren Überwindung, an künftige Generationen zu vermitteln. Durch ihre pädagogischen Angebote wollen sie zur kritischen Auseinandersetzung mit der jüngsten Geschichte einladen und damit für die Bedeutung von demokratischen Grundwerten und Rechtsstaatlichkeit sensibilisieren.
Die Mitglieder des Netzwerks treffen sich regelmäßig zum Erfahrungs- und Informationsaustausch und besprechen mögliche Kooperationsprojekte innerhalb des Verbundes.