Steinhude’s Sculpture Promenade: Fishing and Weaving Museum / Toy Museum

In May 2012, two museums in Steinhude merged both physically and in name: the Fishermen’s and Weavers’ Museum and the Toy Museum. Together, they are now housed under one roof under the name “Steinhude’s Sculpture Promenade.”

Fishing and Weaving Museum

The Fishermen’s and Weavers’ Museum was opened in 1989 by the Förderverein Heimatmuseum Steinhuder Meer e.V. in a house built in 1850. In terms of its layout—entrance hall, parlor, kitchen, living and work room, bedroom, pantry, and courtyard with stables—the building largely reflects the architectural standards of the period. Most of the original furnishings from the house, which was inhabited until 1984, were preserved. They thus document the living and economic conditions of a typical Steinhuder family over the past 100 years.

Once upon a time, work and life took place under one roof: weaving was done in the raised living area, while the parlor was only opened on Sundays. The kitchen heated the study as well through a small window.

The museum displays rare woven textiles spanning three centuries, including the unique "seamless shirt," exquisite tapestries, and an exhibition on the history of fishing. In the covered courtyard, two typical vessels from Lake Steinhuder Meer are on display: a peat barge and a fishing boat, both keel-less and thus perfectly adapted to the shallow waters.

Toy Museum

Since May 2012, the Toy Museum has been housed in the two-story Spieker building of the Steinhude Museums. The ground floor displays toys from the upper middle class dating from around 1860 to 1960. At that time, gender roles were clearly defined: dolls for girls, tin toys for boys. Children played together and with their parents in paper theater. For most families, however, these valuable toys were unaffordable.

On the upper floor, visitors can explore the cultural history of toys: from the earliest board games to the action figures of the 1980s. Small play stations and themed displays offer a fun and interactive history lesson.

Steinhude’s Sculpture Promenade presents two to three special exhibitions each year, and a large arts-and-crafts market is held before Easter and before Christmas.
Traditional crafts are regularly brought back to life during special events, and cultural events take place in the covered courtyard.

A blog provides updates on what's happening at the museum.

Source: Steinhude’s Sculpture Promenade Museums