History of the museum

The Westerwald District founded the Keramikmuseum Westerwald in 1976, which was initially established under the auspices of the “Förderkreis Westerwald für Kunst und Keramik e.V.” at the Schiller School in Höhr-Grenzhausen. Within a short period of time the collection and the activities of the museum expanded in such a way that the District established today´s museum after taking over the sponsorship.

The basis of the collection are objects from the former District Museum in Montabaur and from the property of the town of Höhr-Grenzhausen. This collection has been constantly expanded through acquisitions, donations and loans.

Groundbreaking ceremony by District Administrator Dr. Norbert Heinen, 1.10.1980. Photo: Fotostudio Baumann GmbH

Only a few years after its foundation, the exhibition concept was extended to international ceramics. Examples include the "Contemporary Ceramics of the Soviet Union", which was shown in 1984, and the travelling exhibition "Ceramics of Europe", which was conceived in 1993 as part of the Rhineland-Palatinate Kultursommer.

The great interest in the Westerwald Prize and the geopolitical developments prompted the Westerwald District in 1999 to no longer restrict the competition to Germany but to offer it throughout Europe. By this decision the cultural exchange within Europe was purposefully promoted.

Opening of the new building and Westerwald Prize Exhibition by District Administrator Dr. Norbert Heinen, 22.10.1982. Photo: Fotostudio Baumann GmbH

The architect Scheubert designed the present Keramikmuseum in 1982. Like an ammonite that expands outwards, four exhibition levels are arranged in a rotary movement around an axis. Thus, a chronological tour from the creation of the clay to contemporary ceramics is given. In 2007, the museum was extended to almost 5000 square metres.

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Photos: Helge Articus

Due to the steady upward development, the Westerwald District was forced to transfer the Keramikmuseum together with the district´s own Open Air Museum in Hachenburg into a private limited company. Since then, the "Museen im Westerwald GmbH” is responsible for the ongoing business, while the Westerwald District as owner ensures the financial basis.

Loans

It is important to the Keramikmuseum Westerwald that its collection can be experienced by as many people as possible. As such we pursue a generous loans policy.

Please submit your loan request in writing at least 3 months before the planned loan to kontakt@keramikmuseum.de.

Our team

Left to right: Nina-Maria Behrens, Enrico Eckhoff, Bettina Keßler, Sedat Mavili, Patricia Lackas, Annette Zeischka-Kenzler, Petra Britscho und Nele van Wieringen

Friends of the museum

Friends of the museum support us in recording historical artefacts, in publication and catalogue production and enable purchases that significantly enrich the collection.

As a Friend, you can support us for the small amount of 30 Euros a year. Students pay only 6 Euro, couples 48 Euros. The annual fee for corporate members is 300 Euros.

We are always happy about new sponsors and friends! For more information please contact:

Geschäftsstelle des Förderkreises des Keramikmuseums Westerwald e.V.
Peter-Altmeier-Platz 1
56410 Montabaur
Tel.: 0049 (0) 2602 124506.