Tasks, works and core competences of the LWL Open-Air Museum in Detmold / Westphalian State Museum of Popular Art

In the LWL Open-Air Museum in Detmold the visitors can see an image of the past in their minds’ eyes. As a state museum of popular art, the LWL Open-Air Museum, however, has to take on more tasks:

The complex living environment, the way of living and the culture of all classes of society in Westphalia-Lippe, including changes of cultural-historical importance from the Middle Ages up to the present have to be
- explored
- documented
- their remains to be preserved
- and presented.

It is the museum’s intention to give a comprehensive overview of development and changes in the everyday and cultural history of Westphalia. On the basis of scientific research a variety of didactic methods helps to explain dwelling and working conditions as well as building and life culture of Westphalia’s inhabitants to present and future generations.

These are the aims, the LWL Open-Air Museum in Detmold has followed up ever since its foundation in 1960. Since its inauguration in 1971, the implementation has been realised placing different emphases. Over the years, experiences have been made and core competences have been concentrated, particularly regarding the following areas:
- Building and building research
- Collection and preservation of materials and goods
- Documentation of data and pictures
- Landscape ecology
- Mediation of museum contents

A research library in the “Krummes Haus”, the museum’s administration building, completes the spectrum.