Klaus Knabe founded the GDR Museum Pforzheim in September 1998. The museum aims to promote awareness of democracy, address human rights and encourage people to come to terms with the GDR dictatorship. GDR history is to be explained but not glorified. Especially young people should be inspired for the historical and political topics of German history. The topics of escape, the ransom of GDR prisoners by the Federal Republic of Germany and the arrival of GDR citizens in the West form a focal point of the museum. Contemporary historical references and documents from the greater Pforzheim area provide an authentic link.
The GDR Museum Pforzheim has an important collection with exhibits from all social areas of GDR history. The museum has 15 years of experience in conveying GDR history and was conceptually realigned in 2014.
Contemporary witnesses, so-called living history books, guide visitors through the exhibition.
