Our collections

The collections of the Deutsches Historisches Museum (DHM) encompass artefacts spanning some 1,200 years of German, European and global history. They provide havens for remembrance and preservation, but also for research and storytelling. Our collections themselves look back on a history spanning more than 200 years and are shaped by the numerous objects – and the stories they tell.

One of the strengths of the DHM’s collections is the diversity of the objects: alongside artefacts belonging to historically significant figures – like Napoleon Bonaparte’s bicorne from the Battle of Waterloo –, there are also remarkably interesting objects and documents once owned by unknown individuals. By scrutinizing, augmenting or weeding out the collections, we keep them in a constant state of development. Take a look “over our shoulder” and join us in exploring the objects that have helped to create the events and stories that still move us today.

[Translate to English:] Ein alter Schrank steht in einem Depot und weitere alte Möbel sind zu sehen

About us

The great variety of the collection’s objects is reflected in the organisation and structure of the Collections department. Working in thirteen separate collections, our staff uses broad specialist expertise, in-depth historical knowledge, and professional diligence to scientifically catalogue, study and preserve the many different objects. Find out more about our individual collections here.

To the Collections

[Translate to English:] Screenshot der Objektdatenbank

Object Database

The online object database opens the museum’s holdings to a global audience. It allows users to browse or conduct targeted research on specific topics and groups of objects.

To the Database

Ein Inventarbuch, indem geblättert wird.

Provenance research

Knowledge of the provenance of the collection’s objects is essential in determining their relevance within the collection, as it can provide insight into the circumstances of their use and manufacture. The provenance research discipline also examines changes of ownership that could be problematic from a legal or ethical perspective. This includes, in particular, possible cases of expropriation during the Nazi era, as well as in the Soviet Occupation Zone and the German Democratic Republic (GDR).

To Provenance research

Auf dem Bild ist das Innere der Bibliothek zu sehen. Die Tische sind grün und hintereinander angerichtet. Im Hintergrund sind viele Bücher in Regalen zu sehen.

Library

Focusing on German history within a European context, the library of the Deutsches Historisches Museum serves both as a staff library for the museum’s employees and as a specialist library open to the public. It comprises some 250,000 volumes. Its holdings also include the Deutsches Historisches Museum’s collection of manuscripts as well as old and rare prints.

To the Library

Ein Teil eines Mikroskops und ein Regal im Hintergrund.

Conservation

The DHM employs conservators specialising in ten different material areas to ensure that the diverse collection is professionally cared for. In addition, the department has special sections for IPM (Integrated Pest Management) and for passe-partout production. Alongside the conservation and restoration work behind the scenes, the department’s job centres primarily on exhibitions, for which the objects have to be prepared and made ready for display. Another key focus is on investigative research based on art-historical and material technology, in order to determine appropriate conservation measures and trace the history of the objects.

To Conservation

[Translate to English:] Zwei Personen fixieren ein Gemälde in einer Transportkiste

Service and Contact

Please feel free to contact us if you want to make use of our collections. Here you can find out how and under what conditions you can borrow objects from the collections for your own exhibition projects or obtain digital images of the exponents. If you have any questions about how to work on site with documents and objects from our collections or the museum’s archives, you will also find information and contact details here. Should you own items that you would like to donate to the museum, we will be glad to advise you on how such donations can be made.

To Service and Contact