History Harvest
Detail of the panorama wallpaper from the US Army mess hall in Campbell Barracks. It shows scenes from the American War of Independence.
With the multimedia exhibition “Join the Story - 200 Years of Transatlantic Perspectives”, the Mark Twain Center opens the doors to one of the most important and previously inaccessible military buildings. Here, the view extends far beyond the military occupation period. Formative events as well as social and political developments in transatlantic relations are presented on 900 square meters. The permanent exhibition focuses on everything that Germans and Americans have experienced together over the past decades: War and occupation, democratic and cultural awakening in the city, protests against the USA's global political involvement or the lively club culture.
One of the most moving moments is a series of films about people who talk about their personal history and perspectives. Many a memento is on display, as well as many original objects from German-American club and everyday culture.
Get involved!
We would value your involvement in developing our presentation.
We are delighted to receive all sorts of mementos. We are looking for photos, films and objects of all kinds that connect you with the shared past of Germans and Americans in Heidelberg and the surrounding region.
These stories and objects then become part of our presentation.
You can share your story through our new collaborative ‘History Harvest’ forum that meets on the last thursday of every month.
We naturally also extend a warm welcome to anyone with an interest in German-American history.
The other dates in 2024 are
October 24
November 21
Always from 19.00 to 20.30 in the Mark Twain Center!
For more information please contact us:
Tel.: +49 (0)6221 58 34066
Email: mark-twain-center@heidelberg.de
On November 21 with Kilian Nagel
After the Second World War, picturesque Heidelberg became the headquarters of the U.S. Army Europe. A decade after the withdrawal of the US military, Kilian Nagel portrays the special relationship between the German and American city population and takes stock: What remains of the USA in Heidelberg?
The history of Heidelberg's little America came to an end in 2013. For decades, the US military was present in Heidelberg and with it thousands of Americans. German-American festivals, visits to the American Patrick Henry Village and the joint club life are likely to remain fond memories for many people in Heidelberg.
For quite a few, the departure also meant saying goodbye to friends, neighbors and colleagues.
What happened next for Germans and Americans? How has the city developed since then?What traces can still be found today? As a final project for his journalism degree, Heidelberg-born Kilian Nagel searched for answers.In the film, numerous voices from the Heidelberg US community have their say: remaining Americans, former US military personnel, square dancers, restaurateurs and representatives of the city of Heidelberg.From the airfield, to the Rheintal golf course, to Mandy's Railway Diner, numerous locations were visited and, with the help of the Mark Twain Center, the emergence and passing of an American parallel world in the middle of Germany was traced.
Walk with us on November 21, 2024 in the footsteps of Heidelberg's little America. The screening starts at 7 pm. The film will be shown with English subtitles. Afterwards, we invite you to a talk with Dr. Uwe Wenzel (Director of the Mark Twain Center) and Kilian Nagel (film author).
On October 24 with Ronald Rasch
For more than six decades, Heidelberg was the headquarters of the US Army in Europe. Military operations of the American armed forces and NATO during the Cold War, during the wars in former Yugoslavia and in Iraq and Afghanistan were prepared and planned here.
On this evening, we will talk to Ronald Rasch, former Deputy Political Advisor to the US Commander-in-Chief, about the specific tasks and his professional and private experiences in Heidelberg.
On April 25, 2024 with Rudolf Vogel
On behalf of the US Army - the experiences of a Heidelberg entrepreneur
For 29 years, master interior decorator Rudolf Vogel from Neuenheim furnished homes and military offices in Heidelberg and far beyond on behalf of the US Army. In our “History Harvest” series, he reports on his experiences of working with the Americans.
On March 14, 2024 with Minnie-Marie Harris
Growing up in Heidelberg - an American youth in Heidelberg
The bus arrived every morning at 7:03 a.m... and this was even noted on the bus ticket that our guest Minnie-Marie Harris had to show to get to Heidelberg High School.
In a lively exchange with the audience - many of whom themselves grew up between German and American culture - Ms. Harris reported on the advantages and disadvantages of growing up in Heidelberg as part of our “History Harvest” series.
On October 26, 2023 with Thomas C. Jones
For decades, the private vehicles of members of the US armed forces in Heidelberg were easily recognizable by their conspicuous license plates. Due to the increasing threats posed by national and international terrorism, the American authorities then increasingly adapted the license plates to German standards in order to increase the safety of the military personnel and their families.
The discussion between Uwe Wenzel and the former head of the US Military Police of the US Army Europe, Brigadier General Thomas C. Jones, focused on the special security challenges and the associated differentiation from the German neighborhoods in the city.
We welcomed numerous interested guests, who were able to engage in discussions after the talk.
On September 28, 2023 with Hannelore Thomas
After a long break, we were delighted to resume the History Harvest series with a visit from Hannelore Thomas, who was responsible for renting apartments to military personnel and their families as a so-called “Local National” in the U.S. Army Housing Office until 2013.
February 27, 2020 with Johannes Bauer
On February 27, we welcome Johannes Bauer, who experienced the protests against the presence of the US Army in Heidelberg as a student and activist.
January 30, 2020 with Volker Kohlmeier
On January 30, 2020, we welcome Volker Kohlmeier from Mannheim to our participatory forum. Volker Kohlmeier ran eight hairdressing salons in Heidelberg and Mannheim as a self-employed master hairdresser on behalf of the US Army. His customers were generals and serious criminals. In the hairdressing salon of the former commandant's office (now the MTC), he served both the US commander-in-chief and ordinary soldiers.
His work for the prisoners in the only military prison of the American armed forces in Europe on the grounds of the Coleman Barracks in Mannheim had a lasting influence on him.
He donated his original prison key to the Mark Twain Center collection.
In an interview with Dr. Uwe Wenzel, Mr. Kohlmeier talks about his experiences in the US military prison system and about his many activities with and for the Americans in the Rhine-Neckar region.
November 29, 2019 - a cooperation with WoAndersKino
WoAndersKino presents “Morris from America” in the historic premises of the Mark Twain Center for Transatlantic Relations.
The film deals with the not always easy youth of US-Americans in Heidelberg.
Afterwards, all visitors are cordially invited to an open discussion.
October 31, 2019 with Norbert Hooks
Many thanks to more than 30 guests at our kick-off event for the new series “History Harvest - A Collection in the Making”. In conversation with Dr. Uwe Wenzel, Norbert Hooks gave a fascinating insight into the successful career of a German civilian employee in the U.S. Army in Heidelberg.
