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The Urzeithof in Stolpe


Ludwigia

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I spent a week or so recently in the north of Germany, mainly to spend some time with my son and his family, but I did take them all along one day for a sidetrip to the Urzeithof, of which I had learned through an interesting article about it in the last edition of the German journal "Fossilien". I must say, I was very impressed by what Frank Rudolph and his partner Katrin Mohr along with a large number of enthusiastic and engaged volunteers have managed to create over the last few years. Katrin, an enthusiastic hobby fossil collector, started the museum over 10 years ago when a barn on her husband's farm became free. The exhibition was expanded with the support of the Hamburg Archeological Museum and the knowledgeable help and connections of Frank, a paleontologist who was among the founders of the state Ice Age Museum and also runs his own geological mail order book service. They are also supported by the members of the Geo-AG Kiel, a hobby collectors club and a good network of engaged professionals and amateurs. The collection has expanded rapidly over the years thanks to these connections. 3 years ago it was possible to move to a larger plot which provides more possibilities and there are still plans going on for expansion. Over 130 collections have been donated to the museum, which can exhibit excellent samples from all time periods. They can now proudly say that they have the largest collection of fossils in northern Germany. In the meantime they also have a café which is popular in itself with the locals, a gift shop with artwork from regional artists and artesians, programs and fossil hunts for school children, preparation workshops, excursions, seminars, etc.,etc.

 

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It turned out that one of the volunteers, Harald Lange, is also involved, as I myself am, in the internet forum community "Steinkern". He just happened to be on board on the day of our visit, so he took the time to give us a great guided tour. His wife Uschi also helps out there in the gift shop where she also exhibits her own artwork. Here are some impressions from the museum.

 

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Greetings from the Lake of Constance. Roger

http://www.steinkern.de/

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The organizers have gone to great pains with the cataloging and can tell us exactly what we are looking at, where and when it is from and, just as important, which collector has donated it. Which brings me to the archive. A good number of volunteers have been and still are busy cataloging the specimens which are donated regularly and which are then divided up into various catagories from "straight into the museum exhibit" to "nice pieces for prepping practice for the kids". Compared to some vaults in the basement of some museums I have visited, this is quite exemplary for its organization, although, as Harald says, there's still a lot of work to do and the things keep on coming in. Here he is at work there.

 

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Showing us the nicely organized drawers.

 

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And posing with Frank, myself and my grandson.

 

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And here's one of Frank with some visitors in front of the prep shack. To the right of him, but out of sight, is a large sandbox where children can search for "gems" and other treasures.

 

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So if any of you happen to spend some time in the north of Germany in the future, I can warmly recommend spending at least a day enjoying life at the Urzeithof, which roughly translated means Prehistoric Farm. I'm sure that you'll enjoy yourselves and be sure to take the kids along with you as well. My grandchildren had a great time. And the cake was great too!

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Greetings from the Lake of Constance. Roger

http://www.steinkern.de/

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What a lovely location! Small, compact, and with a brilliant name of "geotorium." :) 

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...How to Philosophize with a Hammer

 

 

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6 minutes ago, Kane said:

What a lovely location! Small, compact, and with a brilliant name of "geotorium." :) 

 

It's a real community effort which is showing increasing success.

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Greetings from the Lake of Constance. Roger

http://www.steinkern.de/

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18 hours ago, RuMert said:

Impressive:Smiling:

 

17 hours ago, Tidgy's Dad said:

What a beautiful and extraordinary place! :b_love1:

 

It's more than worth a visit if you ever happen to be in the area.

 

 

Greetings from the Lake of Constance. Roger

http://www.steinkern.de/

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  • 8 months later...

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