Haus Cleff, Historical museum in Remscheid, Germany
Haus Cleff is a residential building constructed in 1778 with two distinct entrances displaying Russian and Dutch coats of arms on its facade. The structure houses exhibition spaces and stands as a notable example of how middle-class homes were built and organized during the late 18th century.
The building was constructed in 1778 and later served as a residence and town hall under French occupation starting in 1811 when Johann Hinrich Sonntag was mayor. The Cleff family purchased the property in 1847 and became influential figures shaping Remscheid's development for decades afterward.
The building displays the living culture of the Bergisch region through exhibits featuring works by painter Johann Peter Hasenclever and artist Gerd Arntz. Visitors can observe how prosperous families decorated their homes and expressed themselves through art during that period.
The museum section is currently closed for renovation due to wood pest damage, but the German Tool Museum in the complex remains open with regular hours. Visitors should check in advance which areas are accessible and plan accordingly for their visit.
The two entrances with their coats of arms reflect a time when the house served both as a private residence and public administrative building simultaneously. This unusual arrangement allowed visitors and residents to use the spaces independently, making the building function as two separate homes under one roof.
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