Dear friends,

The Museum Haus am Checkpoint Charlie, founded by human rights activist Dr. Rainer Hildebrandt, is a museum like no other; from its humble beginnings in October 1962 as a two-and-a-half room display about the newly erected Berlin Wall, the museum has evolved into a more than 2000m2 exhibition that explores not only the history of the Berlin Wall and the stories of those affected by it, but also looks at the challenges facing us today as we struggle for worldwide recognition of human rights and freedom.

Here you can discover objects used to escape over, under, and through the Berlin Wall, and read the stories of those escapees who risked their lives to win their freedom. We also remember and thus keep alive the memory of others who died in the attempt – you can be part of this important work.

In the new exhibition you can trace the history of movements promoting human rights from 1800 onwards, and learn about areas of our world today where the struggle continues. As a museum we are unique, being not only a testament to the past, but also a living and evolving reminder of the present. We invite you to become part of that process by visiting us today and sharing with us the concerns you have for our world.

We welcome feedback from our friends and try, where possible, to incorporate it into our new exhibitions.

We look forward to welcoming you to our museum in the year of its 50th birthday,

Alexandra Hildebrandt,

Chairperson & Director