Visiting the Alsatian Museum
Located at 23 quai Saint-Nicolas in Strasbourg, just a short walk from the place du Corbeau (Raven Square), you will find a rather unique museum. It showcases the daily lives of the Alsatian people between the 17th and 20th centuries. The site serves as a tangible record of local history and culture.
History
In 1898, driven by the efforts of Charles Spindler, a group of artists decided to launch the Revue alsacienne illustrée (Illustrated Alsatian Review). It was founded under specific political circumstances, as Alsace was then part of the German Empire. This publication acted as a pillar of regional identity, featuring articles on local heritage, texts written in the regional dialect, cultural reports, and descriptions of iconic landmarks. The April 1900 issue mentioned a project for an ethnographic museum for the first time. The general constituent assembly was held in November 1902. With the capital raised for the initiative, the building at 23 quai Saint-Nicolas was purchased in 1904.
The museum finally opened its doors on May 11, 1907, with a festive atmosphere. A village fair was recreated for the inauguration. Guests arrived in traditional dress, and there were stalls selling regional products.
The Alsatian Museum was considered too francophile by some, and the start of World War I provided the perfect excuse to bring the institution under state control.
Georges Klein, who served as curator from 1969 to 1985, did more than just grow the collections. Under his tenure, the museum expanded to include the buildings at numbers 24 and 25 of the quay.
The Alsatian Museum
The museum houses 1,600 square meters of exhibition space, meaning it is impossible to display the fifty thousand objects that make up the total collection. Only one tenth of the items are on display at any given time, organized into thematic collections.
You can explore Alsatian domestic life, pivotal moments in local society, a gallery dedicated to games and toys, and a room focused on various local crafts.
It is a trip through the heart of Alsatian memories.
Located in a pretty, old half-timbered house, this small museum highlights the Alsatian way of life. Furniture, clothing, and handcrafted items are mixed together to immerse us in the daily lives of families.
I really liked this immersion into the Franco-German folklore. I finished the tour in an hour and left with a better understanding of Alsatian domestic and societal life. The museum is not a must-see, but I recommend it for its typical setting and its unique collections in the city.