Steglitz. The conversion and renovation of the listed building began in 2017. But then the Corona pandemic wasn’t the only thing that got in the way.
The path to the elevator has already been newly paved, in keeping with the monument, just as it was 150 years ago. The stones shine brightly, but they do not end at an elevator door, but at a concrete pit. The foundation for the elevator has been finished for some time. But the opening in the facade where visitors in wheelchairs can later get out is still missing. Only then can it be installed. Renovation and reconstruction work at the German Blind Museum in Rothenburgstrasse in Steglitz have come to a standstill. The reopening was supposed to have taken place four years ago. Then came the Corona pandemic. This was followed by increases in construction costs, changes in specialist companies and lengthy tendering processes.
The renovation work is in the final stages
But now the end of the work is in sight. “It is realistic that we can open in the first quarter of 2025,” says Klaus Müller, Chairman of the Support Association of the German Museum for the Blind. It is located on the upper floor of the former school building from 1881, where the old exhibition was previously on display. Now some of the exhibits are already packed in boxes and are waiting to be transported down to the ground floor. From there, visitors can go on a tour of the museum, while the upper floor will be used as an archive and office.
This is the old entrance to the Blindenmuseum in Steglitz. © Katrin Lange | Katrin Lange
It is not just the floor that will change. With the installation of the elevator, the museum will be accessible to the public in the future. And on more public days. Before the renovation, the exhibition was open on Wednesdays from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Outside of these times, groups such as school classes, nurses, geriatric nurses or tourists could come for registered tours. This was because the tours solely by volunteers who do this in their free time.
A permanent position for the only museum for the blind in Germany
Now the volunteers have finally received support. The support association has fought for this for a long time. After all, it is the only museum for the blind in Germany. That is why Klaus Müller had demanded that it be financially supported like any other museum. At least it has now worked out that a permanent position could be filled. However, the position is not with the Senate Cultural Administration docked, but is again only financed as a project. “That means we get the money for the position and have to organize everything else, such as fees and taxes, ourselves,” says the 70-year-old pensioner, who is himself visually impaired and was previously a teacher of German, history and politics at the Beethoven-Gymnasium in Lankwitz.
The Blind Museum is located in a 150-year-old, listed brick building. © Katrin Lange | Katrin Lange
Lutz Henschel is now the only permanent employee who has already worked on a brochure about the Museum for the Blind. While the museum is still closed, he takes care of the office, applications and organizational matters. As soon as the exhibition starts next year, however, he will also support the volunteers. The museum can thus Extend opening hours and offer more guided tours. “We would like to be open every day from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.,” says Müller, explaining the plans. Sundays still need to be discussed. As long as there were no full-time employees, the museum was always open on the first Sunday of the month, which was looked after by volunteers and members of the support association.
Exhibits from the Steglitz Blind Museum: Numbers and letters can be felt when playing Scrabble or dice. © Katrin Lange | Katrin Lange
The first showcases have already been delivered and are ready in the lower rooms. The exhibition has three main areas of focus: It deals with the origins and development of Braille, as well as the work processes and leisure time of blind and visually impaired people. How do blind people do sports? What does their computer workstation look like? These questions are answered.
On packed boxes: Many exhibits are already packed for the move. © Katrin Lange | Katrin Lange
Visitors can get active and learn about Louis Braille’s Braille and try it out with a board or a machine. They can also use aids such as a Blindenstock Or play Ludo with your eyes blindfolded, with dice on which you can feel the numbers.
An old typewriter for the blind and visually impaired. © Katrin Lange | Katrin Lange
Until the exhibits can be set up on site, several trades are still in use, such as electricians, plumbers, heating engineers and drywallers. As always on construction sites, the listed historic brick building Not everything went according to plan. The architect had to be changed because they weren’t happy with the old one, says the association chairman. And the drywallers didn’t do everything they were paid for. Suspended ceilings still need to be installed.
Read here: The best of Steglitz-Zehlendorf
The remaining money must also be used for this work. Around 400,000 euros were initially calculated for the renovation and conversion. “Some things were not included in the calculation,” says Klaus Müller. Such as the trouble with the companies and the increase in construction costs. fast 600.000 Euro They have now arrived, which consist of funds from the Lotto Foundation, the Berlin-Brandenburg War Blind Foundation and their own resources.
Visitors can play Ludo without seeing anything. © Katrin Lange | Katrin Lange
The museum has been closed for renovations since 2017. When it reopens eight years later, there are many plans: for example, students in grades 9 and 10 will be able to School internship at the Blind Museum “We noticed during the visits that the young people are very interested,” says Klaus Müller. He is hoping for another side effect: the support association urgently needs to be rejuvenated in order to lead the museum into a secure future. Perhaps a young intern will actually stay on as a volunteer or as a new member of the support association.
