GDR history museum in Perleberg: A look into the past!

GDR history museum in Perleberg: A look into the past!

The GDR Museum in Perleberg seems simple at first glance, but if you enter the two gray buildings on the edge of the city center, you will be kidnapped into a fascinating journey through time. This special museum, which was founded in 2006 by the couple Gisela and Hans-Peter Freimark, keeps the memories of a past era alive and shows impressive exhibits and curiosities from the time of the German Democratic Republic (GDR)

The collection not only includes everyday objects such as a complete home furnishings from the GDR, including a wall unit, historical televisions or original vehicles such as "Trabis" and Simson-Mopeds. It is also a testimony of life and the challenges in the former GDR that Gisela and Hans-Peter Freimark have collected for many years. Since retirement back in Perleberg, you have set yourself the task of preserving these memories for the following generations.

The establishment of the museum and the personal history of the operators

The enthusiasm of the couple for the history of their homeland and the eventful times of the GDR was the impetus for the foundation of the museum. Hans-Peter Freimark, who died in 2020, passed on objects that would otherwise have been forgotten. He was active as an evangelical pastor who had already been targeted by state security as a teenager. This personal story is reflected in the collection, which also includes exhibits such as uniforms of the folk police or utensils from the time of the Cold War.

Gisela Freimark describes that her husband always had a feel for what could be important for posterity. "We also serve the Ostalgie," she says. "My husband could never say no when collecting." Nevertheless, the museum's focus is on dealing with and conveying an authentic feeling for the realities of life in the GDR. This also happens with the help of modern technologies, such as QR codes that offer visitors additional information.

important importance of the museum in the region

The GDR museum takes a special position in Brandenburg. The managing director of the Brandenburg Museum Association, Arne Lindemann, emphasizes that it has significant stocks on the GDR history. The link with the life story of Gisela and Hans-Peter Freimark ensures a unique perspective on historical processing. The museum is not a place of nostalgia, but a space of learning and reflection.

This narrative style of everyday life in the GDR and the challenges with which people were confronted at the time attracts the interest of one public. Despite the reduced number of privately managed GDR museums in Brandenburg, the number of visitors is regularly high. Gisela FreiMark now leads the museum alone, supported by a 20-member sponsoring association. Around 150 people visit the museum per month, including many children and adolescents.

At the same time, the challenges that affect many of these facilities is pointed out. The personal passion of the collectors is often not permanent, which is a great challenge for the future preservation of these cultural collections.

The journey of the FreiMarks was not always easy. Gisela Freimk remembers critical voices that accused the couple to promote nostalgia or to equate the GDR with National Socialism. Nevertheless, the time has shown that their commitment is estimated. The passage "The truth has to witness" leaves the impression that the museum is also an important voice in the review of the past. After the death of her husband, Gisela Freimark received support and recognition for her work, including with the Federal Cross of Merit.

outlook for the future

As far as the future of the GDR Museum is concerned, it remains to be seen how it will go on as soon as Gisela Fremark is no longer able to take responsibility. The generation change is a central topic in the museum landscape, especially for privately managed museums. It is important to win offspring early to keep the cultural heritage alive.

The GDR Museum in Perleberg stands for far more than just exhibits; It is a place that stimulates a discourse about the past and memory-especially at a time when East-West differences are becoming more important and many long for a supposedly "good old days". For further exploration of the development of GDR museums and their importance, there are numerous information on www.tagesspiegel.de Find.