German History Museum, Berlin, Germany

Related person

Eric Haddenham (was created by)

Date

2006 IM Pei wing completed, original Zeughaus opened in 1730, reconstructed from 1948-1965.

Description

The German History Museum (Deutsches Historisches Museum) was originally going to be a new building built near the Reichstag. A competition was held and Aldo Rossi was victorious in 1988, but after reunification, new collections from East Germany were available to the museum archives. In order to meet the new demands and create a modern museum, the Zeughaus was extensively reconstructed and restored. A new wing, designed by I.M. Pei, began construction in 1999 and was completed in 2006. The original Zeughaus (arsenal) started construction in 1695 but wasn't completed until 1730. It is the oldest building on Unter den Linden. Karl Schinkel was commissioned in 1815 to carry out extensive renovations for a Royal Weapons and Model Collection (opened in 1831). It was a source of German heroism once Adolf Hitler came to power, and parades and commemorations were held in the open courtyard. It was severely damaged in World War II. The reconstruction of the building was held from 1948-1965. From 1952-1990, the Museum for German History was founded by the East German central committee, with the aim of conveying Marxist-Leninist history.

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