Discover the new local exhibition in the Altona Museum!

Discover the new local exhibition in the Altona Museum!

On November 12th, the Altona Museum hosted an exciting exhibition entitled “What does home mean here?” opened, which will be on view until March 16, 2026. The show is dedicated to the question of what home means in the context of history and culture. The Altona Museum, which was founded by Otto Lehmann in 1901, sees itself as a local history museum and public education center that conveys North German cultural history. Its founder collected ceramics, traditional costumes and farmhouses, which led to a diverse collection that also includes historical farmhouse models. The exhibition critically examines the beginnings of the collection's history and presents objects from the areas of living, clothing and cooking that reflect the understanding of homeland in the early 20th century. At the same time, these historical exhibits are brought into dialogue with contemporary photography and design. As [hamburg.de reports](https://www.hamburg.de/kultur/ exhibition/was-heisst-hier-heimat-1117184), home today could not be interpreted more diversely than it is in this exhibition.

The exhibition also addresses power, belonging and community. In the course of this, a “home library” was even set up, which is intended to enable visitors to engage in literary discussions with concepts such as home, home, adopted home and homelessness. Everyone can make suggestions for expanding the library in order to actively shape the discourse. A special highlight is Otto Lehmann's former desk, which can be viewed on the second floor. Archive materials also shed critical light on Lehmann's understanding of museums and his role in Nazi cultural policy, while historical farmhouse models are presented.

A look at industrialization

Especially in the early 20th century, the confrontation with homeland cannot be separated from the social and economic upheavals that society experienced. From the 1830s onwards, extensive railway construction took place in Germany, connecting the fragmented economy and establishing a self-reinforcing industrial cycle. According to planet-wissen.de, the Ruhr area played a central role because it had an important steel producer, the Krupp company. Demand for consumer goods increased dramatically in the 1850s, highlighting the economic boom of the period.

Industrialization brought both progress and challenges. On the one hand, cities like Berlin began to grow explosively while many people moved into industry. On the other hand, many people suffered from harsh working conditions in factories and a lack of housing. The pressure on the social infrastructure steadily increased. According to data from [bpb.de](https://www.bpb.de/themen/zeit-kulturgeschichte/revolution-1848-1849/517430/die-wirtschaft-mitte-des-19- Jahrhunderts/), the population was severely affected by economic crises at the beginning of the 19th century, which was also reflected in the revolution of 1848. These revolutionary movements were closely linked to economic circumstances, such as crop failures and rising food prices. Political tensions increased and only countries with less serious crises remained calm.

Home in the face of change

Today's concept of homeland cannot therefore be viewed in isolation, but is strongly influenced by developments in the past. The public discourse continues to be characterized by the debate over the terminology. The themes of power and community that are explored in the exhibition also play a significant role in contemporary society. Chancellor Bismarck's social policy measures, such as the introduction of social insurance in the 1880s, created a framework that continues to influence the understanding of social security and community today. Economic history is therefore a direct part of the idea of ​​homeland, which runs through different social phases.

In this sense, the exhibition in the Altona Museum is an impressive example of how cultural and social concepts are linked. She asks us to think not only about the past, but also about the role that home plays in today's complex society. This is definitely the key to understanding the past and present, which also points to the future.