Deutsches Märchen- und Wesersagenmuseum, Literary museum in Bad Oeynhausen, Germany.
The Deutsches Märchen- und Wesersagenmuseum is a literary museum in Bad Oeynhausen dedicated to German fairy tales and legends from the Weser region. The exhibition features illustrations, manuscripts, and objects that document these storytelling traditions.
The museum was founded in 1973 when folklorist and writer Karl Paetow donated his personal collection of fairy tales and legends to the city. This donation became the foundation for the institution and remains central to its collection today.
The collection reflects how fairy tales and regional legends remain woven into everyday culture and storytelling. Visitors often recognize narratives they encountered during childhood in the displayed materials.
The museum occupies Villa Paul Baehr near the Kurpark and is easily accessible on foot from the town center. Opening hours are limited, so check ahead and plan for a focused visit to explore the full collection.
During the spa town's 150th anniversary celebration in 1998, students from Bielefeld University of Applied Sciences created costume pieces inspired by fairy tale characters for the museum's displays. These works connected the institution with the local academic community in a memorable way.
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