19.11.2022 to 26.2.2023 at the Stadtmuseum Bonn

With this exhibition, the city museum is remembering its roots, which date back to 1886. An exhibition at the annual general meeting of the "Historical Association for the Lower Rhine" gave Bonn the impetus to found a historical association over 130 years ago. The "Bonnensia" association came together in the same year. Paintings, engravings, coins and decorative arts of all kinds were collected with great enthusiasm with the aim of being presented in a city museum. However, it was not until 1989 that an exhibition was opened.

The exhibition sheds light on the museum's collection and its losses, shows the motivations behind the collecting activities and introduces the people involved, donors and sponsors of this first urban history collection. It also presents a picture of the city of Bonn in the 1880s.

In addition to the historical view, the future motivation and strategy of the collection is explored and made transparent.