The History and Origins of Bomann-Museum
The Bomann-Museum was founded in 1892 to coincide with the 600th anniversary of the city of Celle. During its early years, the institution was managed by an association that maintained a membership of over 800 people. This organizational structure remained in place until 1938, when the museum transitioned to a different form of governance. In 1907, the museum moved into a new building to accommodate its growing requirements.
Wilhelm Bomann served as the first director of the institution. His leadership lasted from 1848 to 1926. Under his direction, the museum established its foundational focus on the history of the region and its people. The institution has since continued to develop its presence within the cultural landscape of Celle, maintaining its commitment to the study of local and regional history.
Major Collections and Museum Departments
The museum functions as one of the largest cultural history institutions in Lower Saxony. Its primary collections focus on the folklore and the specific history of the city and state of Celle. These holdings provide a detailed look into the social structures of the 19th century, illustrating the lives of local merchants and craftsmen through various biographical studies. The museum also maintains an archaeological collection that documents the region's early history.
Beyond historical and ethnographic materials, the institution presents exhibitions of modern art. These displays are integrated into the museum's broader program of cultural presentation. The collections include several notable works, such as:
- Portrait of Johann Friedrich Struensee by Jens Juel
- Venus, Instructing a Bacchante, about 1550 by Cornelis van Haarlem
- Portrait of a Gentleman as a Hunter, about 1790 by Marie-Adélaïde Duvieux
- The Rebellious Slave, 1907 by Albert Koenig
The museum's departments manage diverse subject matter, ranging from the study of regional customs to the technical and scientific advancements that shaped Celle since the late 19th century. This breadth allows for a comprehensive examination of how local populations have interacted with their environment and changing social orders over time.
Exhibitions and Research Activities
The museum maintains an active schedule of special exhibitions and academic discourse. Recent programming includes a focus on the miniatures of the Romanticism movement, a period that marked both the height and the eventual conclusion of this specific painting technique. Beyond these thematic displays, the institution addresses significant historical inquiries through public lectures. For instance, a lecture scheduled for 29.10.2026 will examine the geopolitical anxieties of the Western Allies regarding a German atomic bomb.
Research and scholarly output are central to the institution's mission. The Schriftenreihe des Stadtarchivs Celle und des Bomann-Museums serves as a primary publication series for the study of German history, cultural history, and geography. This series provides a structured medium for documenting the regional developments and historical shifts that have shaped the area. Through these publications and ongoing exhibitions, the museum contributes to the broader understanding of German cultural evolution.
Research into Provenance and Acquisitions
The museum maintains a rigorous focus on investigating the influence of National Socialist rule on its acquisition history between 1933 and 1945. This research examines how the political climate of that era shaped the development of the collections. Following the transition to a foundation in 1938, the museum saw a significant increase in its acquisition budget. This shift in funding necessitates a detailed examination of the provenance of various cultural goods acquired during the period of National Socialism and the Second World War.
Current research efforts are specifically directed toward identifying the origins of items linked to local Jewish property. Investigators are also scrutinizing acquisitions made through the Berlin auction house Hans W. Lange. By examining these specific channels, the museum seeks to clarify the circumstances under which these objects entered the collection. This work is essential to understanding the movement of cultural goods during a period of profound historical upheaval.
