History of the City Archive

In Niederlahnstein, the archive's files were formerly managed by the main office. Organized by (Dr.) Fritz Michel in 1894, they were kept in cabinets. During World War II, they were transferred to the Ehrenbreitstein Fortress. After their return, the files were organized in the 1950s and recorded in a directory (1958). There was no full-time supervision. In the mid-1960s, the "archive" was stored in the old Johannesstraße school, managed on a voluntary basis by Wilhelm Steil.

In Oberlahnstein, a city archive was established in 1914 in the museum building of the Antiquities Association. The archival materials and museum collections were also transferred to the Ehrenbreitstein Fortress during World War II. After their return, the collections were housed in rooms of the museum building and the New Town Hall before moving to the Old Town Hall in 1965, 1973, and 1975. Find books exist for Oberlahnstein concerning the documents (1957), official books and files (1958), as well as a directory of the museum library (1960), prepared by archivists from the State Main Archive in Koblenz. In the early 1960s, Hans Friedrich Karb managed the city archive on a voluntary basis.

From 1971, Willi Eisenbarth took over the management of the city archive, initially alongside his work at the public works office, and from 1975 on a full-time basis. Under his leadership, the collections from Nieder- and Oberlahnstein were consolidated in the Old Town Hall. Willi Eisenbarth created a large collection of specialized literature, grey literature (e.g., club publications, brochures, etc.), newspapers and newspaper clippings, as well as postcards and photos that document life in Lahnstein and the surrounding region.

Since May 1, 2002, diploma archivist Bernd Geil has been leading the city archive and the museum of the city of Lahnstein in the Hexenturm.

After more than 50 years in the Old Town Hall, the city archive moved to its new premises in the basement of the former Kaiser Wilhelm School on Kaiserplatz on October 9, 2015. The files are housed in three rooms with mobile shelving systems, while users have access to sufficient workspaces, a microfilm reader, and an extensive archive library.

Area of Responsibility

The main task of the city archive is the evaluation, acquisition, storage, and indexing of the records of the city administration, which are primarily documented in files, plans, and maps.

In addition, the collected materials constitute the second important "pillar" of the preservation of records. This includes written estates of personalities from Lahnstein as well as posters, photos, and the so-called grey literature (celebration publications, carnival pamphlets, but also scientific manuscripts and student projects related to Lahnstein).

Furthermore, the city archive is tasked with documenting the contemporary events in Lahnstein and providing assistance in the processing of the city's history. To this end, the archive maintains a service library.

The city archive serves as an information and documentation center for all citizens regarding questions about the city's history.