Description [EN]
In the centre of Oberursel (Taunus), the Vortaunusmuseum presents the history of the town and the Vorderer Taunus region from a regional perspective. The house at Marktplatz 1, a heritage-listed half-timbered building, provides the setting for the museum.
The building stands on the remains of medieval fabric; the oldest part is a vaulted cellar dating from around 1500. After the destructions of the Thirty Years’ War, a two-storey residential house was erected on top, with its narrow side facing the Marktplatz. In the 18th century the complex was extended; one section served from 1782 to 1809 as the administrative seat of the Electoral Mainz bailiwick and of the Nassau Amt Oberursel. In the 19th century its use shifted to hospitality and brewing. At that time, among other additions, a brewhouse was built at the south-western edge of the courtyard (today Schulstraße 30/32) and the beer-storage cellar known as the “Felsenkeller” was created; this cellar reaches up to five metres in depth. In 1858 a third wing with a ballroom was added. The city acquired the property in 1912. The Vortaunusmuseum opened on 29 April 1976 and, after extensive renovations, was reopened as a modern regional museum in the summer of 1987.
Permanent exhibitions include a presentation on the history of soapbox racing and its precursors, the children’s automobile races, as well as the Hans-Thoma memorial with original works by the artist, who lived in Oberursel for a time. These focal areas are complemented by exhibitions on the town’s industrial history, in particular the use of the Urselbach as a source of power; on local crafts; on the prehistoric and early history of the Vorder Taunus with Stone Age finds and Celtic ring fortifications (including the Heidetränk oppidum); on mineralogy and geology, including the Goldgrube mine; on the medieval moated castle Bommersheim; and on printed works from Oberursel dating to the Reformation period. Temporary exhibitions, museum-education programmes and the annual Advent and spring markets round off the programme.
The museum is sponsored by the city of Oberursel; its content is overseen by the Kuratorium Vortaunusmuseum. The house records around 8,000 visitors annually and is supported by the city with €20,000 per year.