New research project of the Dachau History Workshop: Hobby historians wanted!

Created: 01/14/2023, 06:00

The village of Orthofen (photographed from the south), in the 1950s;

Sittenbach can be seen in the background.

The landscape has changed massively since then.

© history workshop

The history workshop in the district of Dachau starts the new research project "Nature Change".

The volunteers are still looking for hobby historians.

Dachau - Nature, biodiversity and climate change and their importance for people are the topics that concern the world.

The history workshop now wants to break this big topic down to the smallest detail and asks: What does it look like on our own doorstep?

New project "Nature Change" of the Dachau History Workshop

The history workshop in the district of Dachau has been doing research in its own region for years and wants to “make a valuable contribution to historical science”, as project manager Dr.

Annegret Braun emphasizes.

The researchers work on a voluntary basis.

They go into archives and read research literature, but the most important thing, according to Braun, is: "They conduct interviews with eyewitnesses." The conversations are intended to record what is irretrievably lost at some point.

Little going on: a motorway exit in the 1950s © Geschichtswerkstatt

While archive material can also be viewed later, the memories of contemporary witnesses must now be recorded, believes the studied cultural scientist Braun.

Aerial photographs, maps, photos and statistical figures provide information on how the landscape has changed or how many farms have closed.

“But history only really comes to life when people tell it,” believes Braun.

What does it mean for a farmer to give up farming because he couldn't keep up with the big farms?

What was planted in the gardens before lawns and stones defined the gardens?

Home prize for Dachau history workshop

"Heimatpreis" award ceremony in the Munich Residenz for the Dachau history workshop: Thomas Schlichenmayer, district home nurse Dr.

Birgitta Unger-Richter, Katharina Axtner, District Administrator Stefan Löwl, Inge Bortenschlager, Anton Jais, Anton Mayr, Ksenija Pointner, Sabine Gerhardus, Pia Kimt, Annegret Braun and Minister Albert Füracker (from left).

© Helmut Swoboda

The researchers at the history workshop have so far mainly worked on the post-war period, the economic miracle and the change in working life.

The results were presented in various exhibitions and books.

Last year, the history workshop was awarded the "Bavarian Homeland Prize" by the Bavarian State Ministry of Finance and for homeland for its work.

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At the time, Minister Füracker praised "Through their work, they promote historical awareness and strengthen the bond with the village and community through open discussion of the past." Project manager Braun also called the prize an "incentive for further research work".

Kick-off for project with information evening in Mitterndorf

On Friday, February 3, at 5 p.m., an information evening will be the starting signal for the history workshop's new research project on the change in nature.

The event will take place in the parish home in Mitterndorf.

After that, an introduction to the topic begins with a series of lectures and a forest excursion.

Anyone interested can take part.

According to Annegret Braun, “you don't need any previous knowledge or research experience”.

The honorary researchers would be scientifically accompanied by her.

Braun is convinced that many hobby historians will be found for her new project.

She therefore says: "Anyone who would like to find out more about their homeland or community is very welcome to join in the research!" dn

information evening

The information event on the project "Nature Change - a history of the Dachau region" will take place on Friday, February 3, at 5 p.m. in the parish home in Mitterndorf at Heinrich-Nicolaus-Straße 3.

The introductory course with various lectures, for example on the topics of land consolidation and regional reform, changes in landscape and garden or forest and people, is then from February 24th to April 22nd every Friday at 5 p.m. in the parish home in Mitterndorf.

Registration by e-mail at geschichtswerkstatt@dachauer-forum.de or telephone 0 81 31/99 68 80. More at www.geschichtswerkstatt-dachau.de.