Herrenberg - Historical Highlights 1250 to 1900
It did not take long to hit on the idea of using the Fruit Store in Tuebinger Strasse as the location of this exhibition and to renovate it accordingly.
This means that a superb ambience has now been created, which enables the visitor to enjoy this journey through the history of Herrenberg in a surprising
and fascinating building.
The "highlights" were commissioned by the Herrenberg branch of the Boeblingen District Savings Bank and are a gift to the town.
The exhibition title underlines the approach. The subject is not the "history of the town of Herrenberg" as such. Instead four sections have been chosen from the town's entire history and a central topic is presented from each of these segments. The first segment informs us about the foundation of the town in the 13th century. Who were the lords of the town, why was the town founded and by whom, what does the word "Herrenberg" actually mean' The exhibition also covers the heyday of the town as a Wuettembergian district town from 1382 onwards. A special section tells us about famous sons of Herrenberg - Heinrich Schickhardt the architect and his nephew Wilhelm, inventor of the calculating machine, as well as the clergyman Johann Valentin Andreae. The fiasco of the Thirty Years' War is described as well as the period of recovery and we learn about those responsible for the new upswing. Then follows a portrayal of the ups and downs of the 19th century. In all these cases, representative events and biographies are presented.
There is also much that is surprising and new in this exhibition. Here we find original pinnacles with grotesque figures from around 1330. hey are from the Foundation Church, as is an art nouveau candelabrum. The four seasons in the third Ammer mill are here presented for the first time. This is in itself an unusual event, and the story behind it which has now been deciphered is equally interesting. The objects displayed are portrait figures of the builder with his two wives, one in 1700 and one in 1720. Thanks are due in this context to a famous foundation, which enabled us to present the 18th century with numerous examples of high aesthetic quality. The model of Herrenberg Castle by retired town archivist Traugott Schmolz presents an important aspect of the history and appearance of the town up to 1807. Those who wish can re-live the Herrenberg of the middle ages and the early modern period by watching the video presentation. The main part of the exhibition presents highlights over a period of 700 years.
Thematically complementary areas have been completely re-worked and designed and all objects chosen are from the town's museum stock - a conscious choice in view of plans to found a new museum. A number of new acquisitions are on display here for the first time. The exhibition is accompanied by a son et umiere presentation of the history of Herrenberg. One of the finest exhibits is the model of the Castle, first mentioned in 1228 and sold at demolition value in 1228. It is the result of years of work by retired city archivist Traugott Scholz and was executed by the Allgeier company of Stuttgart.
The exhibition is open on Wednesdays and Sundays from 15 to 18 hours.
It can also be visited as part of guided tours through the town. Entrance is free.