in detail
The main building of the documentation center "Gelsenkirchen under National Socialism" was built in 1907 as the police commissioner`s headquarters. After the National Socialists seized power in 1933, the Buer-Erle local chapter of the NSDAP and the Erle SA moved into the upper floor of the building. In the main hall where the local branch leaders` offices were located and which subsequently was also used for teaching, the NSDAP party program of 1920 was inscribed on the walls. After the war, the inscription was painted over. The building was occupied until the 1950s by the City Savings Bank and by a registration office. The police remained in the building until 1976. Since the 1980s, the ground floor rooms have been used by a branch of the city library.
During renovation in the summer of 1986, the wall inscription was discovered. Since the inscription represented one of the few authentic remains of the period of National Socialism, the city of Gelsenkirchen resolved to establish a documentation center about this period of history in the historical rooms. The Institute for Urban History which was founded in 1989 was commissioned to create the documentation center. After extensive renovation, reconstruction, and research work by the Institute for Urban History, the "Gelsenkirchen under National Socialism" Documentation Center opened on May 8, 1994.
The core of the documentation center is the permanent exhibition about the life of the citizens of Gelsenkirchen during the Third Reich. The exhibit aims to document the origins and consequences of the National Socialist dictatorship by focusing on the Ruhr city of Gelsenkirchen. In addition to representing the persecution of outcast groups and political resistance movements, the exhibit addresses a major period of German history from an urban history perspective. Admitting that the majority of the population passively accepted National Socialism is necessary in order to come to terms with this period of history.
Rooms and technical equipment are available at the documentation center for full day educational programs. The Institute for Urban History offers tours to groups and school classes. Lectures and films regularly supplement the permanent exhibition as do discussion groups with the public. An unusual collection of contemporary Nazi literature is available for scholarly research. Relevant literature, various media and literature for children and teenagers about National Socialism are available to all.
1907
The police station building is constructed.
1933-1945
Quarters of the local NSDAP and SA chapter; The NSDAP party program is inscribed into the walls but is painted over in the spring of 1945.
1986
The wall inscription is rediscovered and placed under memorial protection.
1989
The city of Gelsenkirchen resolves to erect a documentation center.
May 8, 1994
The documentation center opens.
