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Research
Scientific expertise and civic engagement
Even before the permanent exhibition opened, research was a central pillar of the museum's work. Who worked here, what made the historic site so special? Since 1999, scholars from various professions have been researching the history of the building, the police, reparations, denazification and other topics related to the Villa ten Hompel. Last but not least, the involvement of a large number of associations, working groups and volunteers from Münster and the surrounding area ensures a lively variety of topics.
The results of this research can be found in our publications, in particular in the "Schriftenreihe" and the "Villa ten Hompel Aktuell" series. They have also found their way into the historical and political education work, the design of the permanent exhibitions and many other projects.
Collecting and documenting
As a historical site, Villa ten Hompel is not only a museum and educational institution, but also a research and documentation centre. To this end, original documents and artefacts are collected, archived and made available for use. Fieldpost letters, photo albums and the equipment of former policemen are just a few examples that make history tangible for us today. While they provide information about the former perpetrators, biographical fragments also give an insight into the perspective of those persecuted and affected.
The documentation profile of the Villa is based on the eventful history of the building (in chronological order):
- The social history of the Weimar Republic, focusing on the eponymous entrepreneur Rudolf ten Hompel,
- The role and function of the police in the Weimar Republic and during the Nazi era, in particular their involvement in war crimes and genocide,
- the democratisation of the police after 1945
- Denazification,
- the issue and problems of so-called reparations,
- general administrative history in the 20th century
- and the broad spectrum of the culture of remembrance.
The collection continues to grow. Objects, media and reproductions are used for documentation and made available for educational purposes and scientific research.
If you would like to donate or lend an artefact or document, please contact us. We will be happy to view and evaluate your find. You can contact us at tenhomp@stadt-muenster.de or by phone.
Library
Our reference library includes roughly 8.500 books. It is open to the public and holds a collection of works focusing on the history of the police and public administration, denazification and so-called reparations as well as rarities and antiquarian literature. It also includes basic literature on National Socialism and topics relating to the culture of remembrance as well as a wide range of regional studies. A special library on the topics of right-wing extremism and racism has also been set up by employees of the mobile counselling service against right-wing extremism.
Whether you are pursuing a personal interest or conducting academic research, writing a dissertation or university term paper: Please search the online catalogue and contact us if you would like to make an appointment.