Heimatmuseum Helstorf

The primary goal of the Heimatverein Helstorf e.V., founded in 1988, was to restore the village smithy—a structure unique in the entire Neustädter Land—and thus preserve this monument to traditional craftsmanship for future generations. The gable walls and the entire roof, which had been infested with woodworm, had to be restored. In most cases, the existing tools only needed to be cleaned, as they had been in use until recently and were therefore in good condition.

One of the tasks of a blacksmith's shop was to mount iron tires on the large wagon wheels. The iron tires were made to glow in the large furnace on the building. A cooling basin was used to shrink the tire onto the wooden rim. The faster the wheels were turned, the slower the applied tire cooled down. The sign-in books from 1889 are very well preserved and for the most part complete, providing evidence of the work carried out in this forge over the many years. The museum also houses a large collection of everyday objects from the past.