The rich collections of the CULTURAL CENTER EAST PRUSSIA reflect the centuries-long history of East Prussia, which is brought to life in exhibitions and events, as well as through other media. The archive and library collections are also available to anyone who is interested in this fascinating region.
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Over the course of its forty-year history, the cultural center has received numerous bequests, some of which contain valuable historical art objects and documents relating to regional studies, folklore, literature, photography, etc. These items form the basis of the collection and archive. The depot houses and safeguards for the future objects that bear witness to the country's eventful history, including, above all, works of art and craftsmanship such as ceramics, tapestries, textiles, furniture, hunting weapons, paintings, prints, maps, and silver and gold works. The center also has an impressive and varied collection of amber products, which is one of the largest in southern Germany.
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The archive, on the other hand, is home to all kinds of written sources, which have been professionally collected, indexed, and stored. In addition to private records, letters, and diaries, there are also extensive holdings of journals and newspapers, as well as an impressive range of administrative documents. The special collections also deserve mention here, such as the picture archive, containing rare glass plate negatives, and a collection of school programs from numerous East Prussian schools. In more recent times, the archive has of course also opened itself up to modern archive materials and set up a collection of films, audio recordings of all kinds, and other storage media, which allow East Prussia's past to be presented in multimedia form. Those interested in the East Prussian “Kreisgemeinschaften” – community groups of people from districts in former East Prussia that were established in the Federal Republic of Germany after 1945 – will also find what they are looking for in Ellingen. Some of the documents relating to these groups have now found a new home in the Cultural Center East Prussia.
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The Center also houses a sizeable library, which specializes on the history, economy, culture, and natural world of East Prussia. Its doors are open to anyone, but visits must be arranged by prior appointment. With over 12,000 bibliographical items, the library also contains numerous rare publications.
