The tradition of peppermint cultivation has long been upheld in Eichenau, and the peppermint museum keeps knowledge and memories of it alive.
It can now do this in a modernized form - also thanks to federal funding.
Eichenau
- They made it possible, among other things, for the lighting in the rooms of the neat little museum on Parkstrasse to be brought up to a technically modern standard.
The old system, which had existed for 30 years, had meanwhile proven to be quite prone to failure.
Wolfgang Heilmann, member of the board of the Förderverein, describes the advantages of this modernization as follows: "The lighting has become glare-free and more energy-saving."
“The requirements and demands have changed,” says Heilmann.
This is an indication that the online presence of the peppermint museum is already 20 years under its belt.
There is already one innovation: the website and the two terminals in the museum room can be coordinated better and faster in terms of content.
According to Heilmann, the modernization of the lighting system and the online presence would have required a sum “in the very low five-digit range”.
That is a lot of money for the development association.
Aid came in the form of a funding program that a member had pointed out: the emergency aid program “Local museums” within the overall program “Culture in rural areas”.
With a total of 1.25 million euros, the program approved by the Bundestag was put out to tender by the Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and the Media.
"But it was important to act quickly," said Hans Kugler, chairman of the friends' association.
Because the applications were processed in the order in which they were received and the funds were allocated accordingly.
An investment concept was quickly drawn up that convinced the politicians in Berlin.
Kugler is relieved: "Without the donations, we would not have been able to finance the improvement measures."
All modernization measures should be completed by the end of 2020 at the latest.
Then a film can finally be presented that was commissioned a year ago: about the cultivation, harvest and processing of peppermint.
Visits to the museum are possible at any time in compliance with the currently applicable distance and hygiene regulations.
Heilmann is quite satisfied with the response.
"We are also noticing the pandemic a little," he admits.
Overall, the situation for the museum is quite passable despite Corona. Which in turn means that the basic concept will be adhered to.
Only special exhibitions would not take place at first, so Heilmann.
opening hours
The peppermint museum at Parkstraße 43 is open on Sundays from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Guided tours of larger groups are not possible until further notice.
Information is available by calling (0 81 41) 7 16 39.
