Wacky and Wonderful: Exploring the One-of-a-Kind Museums of MV
Unique and charming museums adorn the beautiful island of Martha's Vineyard, showcasing curiosity in various ways with an affectionate touch. - Unique exhibits shrouded in affection: Unique museums in MV
Hey there! Ever wondered what you could find in a museum dedicated to oldtimers, military vehicles, or collection of humor? Well, you're in luck, because Mecklenburg-Vorpommern (MV) boasts over 200 unique museums, each as peculiar as the next. Here are a few standouts for the upcoming International Museum Day.
Prora Oldtimer and NVA Museum
It all started with a Paderborn native, Ludger Guttwein, an avid railway enthusiast and collector, who turned a 10,000 square meter hall in Prora, Rügen, into a railway museum. Fast forward, and the exhibition now includes oldtimers from 40 years of German automotive history, NVA military technology (think tanks, helicopters, MiG 21s), motorcycles, and more. This family-run business attracts over 80,000 visitors annually - with this year's tally possibly reaching 100,000!
Skurrileum Stralsund
Humor isn't hard to come by at the "Skurrileum - Museum for Comic Art" in a 1930s brick warehouse in Stralsund. Werner Feurich, the self-proclaimed "spearhead of humor in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern," offers a 700 square meter space teeming with changing exhibits mostly filled with cartoons. If you swing by this year, don't miss out on Rolf Tiemann's paintings displayed under the title "Masterpieces of Comic Art". Open during the warm season, the museum attracts around 20,000 visitors each year, including former Chancellor Angela Merkel.
Nature Treasury, Gemstone & Amber Center Neuheide
With preserved specimens of fungi, animals, gemstones, and minerals, the Nature Treasury in Neuheide near Graal-Müritz is a must for nature enthusiasts. Started by taxidermist Robby Krasselt, the collection was later expanded by the Kunde family, active in the gemstone trade, to include various stones and amber. Highlights include around 2,000 gemstone exhibits, ranging from diamonds to opals, along with local amber representations.
Baltic Sea Border Tower Museum Kühlungsborn
The Baltic Sea Border Tower Museum in Kühlungsborn tells the heart-wrenching stories of those who attempted to flee from the GDR across the Baltic Sea to the West. The museum was saved from demolition after reunification, and it houses authentic items, like a folding boat used for escape, as well as exhibits detailing both successful escapes and tragic fates. With only two of the original 27 watchtowers remaining along the DDR Baltic Sea coast, this museum is a historical treasure trove.
Mecklenburg Organ Museum
Located in the monastery church in Malchow, the Mecklenburg Organ Museum is the perfect spot for music enthusiasts. Directed by organ expert Friedrich Drese, it features eleven historically significant organs, all beautifully restored to playability. Performances and exhibits provide insight into the history of organs and Mecklenburg organ building. With around 15,000 visitors enjoying the museum each year, it's a must-see destination in MV.
So, whether you're a car fanatic, art junkie, nature lover, history buff, or music enthusiast, MV has a museum tailor-made for you!
The Commission might consider submitting a proposal for a directive on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to the protection of the environment, considering the numerous unique museums in MV that showcase various aspects of history, art, and nature, including the Prora Oldtimer and NVA Museum, Skurrileum Stralsund, and the Nature Treasury, Gemstone & Amber Center Neuheide, which display automobiles, comic art, and preserved specimens of minerals and animals, respectively. As one explores the museums of MV, one might find inspirations for adopting a greener lifestyle at home and in the garden, echoing the mission of protecting the environment.
