Organization
Experience history – at the Haus der Geschichte. We present German history from the end of the Second World War to the present – in exhibitions, events, online projects and publications. The Haus der Geschichte is one of the four museums that belong to the Haus der Geschichte der Bundesrepublik Deutschland Foundation.
Our permanent exhibition is currently closed as we are completely remodelling it. From December 2025, visitors can look forward to a new, multi-faceted exhibition experience that presents contemporary German history in an emotional way, using media and featuring attractive objects. During the renovation, the museum will remain open and offer exciting alternative programmes such as new temporary exhibitions and depot tours.
Our events programme centres on film screenings, lectures and readings to create a platform for conversation and discussion with contemporary witnesses as well as prominent representatives of the worlds of politics, scholarship, culture and the media. Such events promote public discussion of current topics.
Collecting and preserving objects also constitute a major part of our work. Our collection on German contemporary history comprisesalmost 900,000 items overall, from postage stamps to panzer tanks.
Structures
Structures
The Haus der Geschichte is subdivided into five organizational sections. These represent the different tasks of a museum. The Exhibitions section arranges and updates the permanent exhibition and all temporary exhibitions and exhibitions for hire. The Communications section handles the PR work in the classic print media and in social and other online media. It is also in charge of educational services and Visitor Services, the events programme and publications. The Collections section is responsible for acquiring, preserving and managing the objects in the collections. It also runs the Information Centre, our Library and Media Library on German contemporary history. The Digital Services section handles all digital tasks of the Foundation. In addition to the project "Zeitzeugenportal" (online portal for contemporary witnesses videos), Digital Services also manages the areas media in the exhibitions, online editorial office, social media, data management and IT. The Central Services section manages the budget, processes procurement and is in charge of HR and the internal organization.
Museum building
Museum building
The museum building in Bonn was constructed specially for the Haus der Geschichte. It was designed and planned by Braunschweig-based architects Ingeborg and Hartmut Rüdiger. The building has a total usable area of approx. 22,000 sq. m. Over 4,000 sq. m. of space is available for the permanent exhibition and more than 650 sq. m. for the temporary exhibitions. The lobby forms the communicative heart of the building, the beginning and end of all guided visits. From here you can easily reach the different areas of the museum: the exhibitions, events rooms, the Information Centre, the museum café, museum shop and administration wing.
