Exhibition about the Mennonite family Schumacher, avant-gardists in sustainable structural policy in Krefeld

“Ich glaub' ich steh im (Forst-)Wald” is the title of the new temporary exhibition at Haus der Seidenkultur (HdS), which opened to the public on Sunday, 9th August at 13.00 hours. It tells the story of the Mennonite family Schumacher (1790-1845) who, according to curator Klaus Drenk, made a name for themselves as avant-gardists in sustainable structural policy in Krefeld.” In addition the exhibition clearly shows that the Mennonites in Krefeld were not merely involved with silk and velvet.

For example, when the Continental Blockade was imposed, the Schumachers invested in the cultivation of sugar beet and set up a sugar refinery which received the “blessing” of Napoleon himself. “This is just one chapter in the Krefeld Forstwald tale“, says HdS spokesperson Dieter Brenner. And: “Once again it was the Mennonites who, as a result of the religious freedom guaranteed by the House of Orange, came to Krefeld and made a significant contribution to the economy.”

Mathias Schumacher, the father of the Schumacher family established himself in Krefeld as a successful merchant as early as the end of the 18th century. He also became involved in agriculture in 1812 when he acquired the Klein Lind farm in Kehn.

From the 50 exhibits, curator Klaus Drenk learned that the son, Gerhard Schumacher, was also a very successful businessman.  Drenk: “It was he who acquired a huge expanse of land in 1820 and developed the St. Tönis Heath into a cultivated landscape. Schumacher started the afforestation in 1830 and in 1838 built the present forester’s lodge as a hunting lodge and residence. As a businessman he had a wide range of interests: In addition to trading in goods and spices, his business interests included a brandy distillery in Krefeld, a vineyard in Königswinter and the Apollinaris mineral water spring in Bad Neuenahr.”

Member of the Citizens’ Action Committee Forstwald have collected the fascinating elements of the history of Forstwald and have linked them to perceptions about the present and the future,“ says HdS spokesperson Brenner, describing the philosophy behind the exhibition.

The exhibition can be visited from 09.08. to 20.09.2015 during the museum opening hours (Wed.-Fri. from 15.00 to 18.00 hours and Sundays from 13.00 to 17.00 hours) and on appointment. Group registrations can be made by phone – Tel. 02151-510812 or by email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.