The ‘Königshütte’ (kings’ hut) Industrial Monument is also opening the doors to its buildings again, and during the guided tours reference is made to the history of the Königshütte (kings’ hut), but also to that of the region, which is inextricably linked to it. For the people of the region, Königshütte (kings’ hut) has been the largest employer for almost 300 years.

The ‘Königshütte’ (kings’ hut) offers guided tours starting at 11 a.m., they take place every 90 minutes. Before the actual start of the Open Monument Day, the sponsoring group offers a church service, in the tradition of the miners who took the ironstone out of the mountain for the ‘Königshütte’ (kings’ hut). The miners began their day with an intercession to God to protect them in their dangerous work. Musical accompaniment for the service will be provided by the ‘Südharzer Bläserquartett’ (horn quartett south harz).

Starting at 2 p.m., the sponsoring group, which is dedicated to the industrial monument, will offer show casting. With the help of aluminium casting, the casting process can be simulated, and participation is expressly encouraged. For children and young people, there will be puzzles and discovery tours, each of which will be rewarded with a small prize. The material for this is available at the hut tavern.

From 11 a.m. coffee and cake and cold drinks for the big thirst will be served in the hut tavern. From about 12 o'clock there will be hearty food in the form of steak and sausages, in front of the iron magazine. From 2 p.m. there will be musical accompaniment by barrel organ music. A lady will demonstrate how sheep's wool was spun in the past (and still is). And otherwise - let yourself be surprised.

during a tour in front of the mill

guided tour in front of the factory house - 2023_05_21

Attendance on this year's International Museum Day, 21 May, was initially restrained, but developed quite satisfactorily. The new owner couple had also travelled from Hamburg to be there and to have conversations with one or the other.

The day began with a church service, the pastor was accompanied musically on the accordion. From 11 a.m. there were guided tours, almost 100 people took part in the four tours, among them a group of senior citizens from Dortmund. One of the senior citizens told us that she used to live in the kings’ hut (Koenigshuette), in the hut tavern (Huettenschenke. After the management had houses built in Hüttenstraße, she and her family moved to hut street (Huettenstraße)  - This street leads directly onto the grounds of the kings’ hut (Koenigshuette). Here it was much more comfortable, there was a bathroom and running water.

From 11 a.m. the café in the hut tavern was open, there were again very delicious cakes and pies, they were donated as every year from privat bakers of Bad Lauterberg. The cakes donated by two local cafés from Bad Lauterberg were also delicious as usual.

At 12 noon, our barbecue in front of the iron magazine opend,  visitors could buy and enjoy roasted sausage and curry sausage as well as steaks.

From 2 pm, a barrel organ player provided musical entertainment on the grounds. Children danced to his sounds.

There was also popcorn and lollipops for the little ones at a stall selling honey and products made from honey such as soap. The stall showing chair weaving was unfortunately not so popular, but the show casting was again a real crowd puller. The foundryman who has been presenting the show casting at the kings’ hut (Koenigshuette) with his helpers for years turned 90 this year.

Thanks to the good weather, it was a successful museum day overall.

In July, there was an extraordinary general meeting of the support group. It took place - as before - at the Hotel Riemann in Bad Lauterberg. The general meeting had become necessary because on the one hand the regular new elections had to take place, on the other hand our treasurer had resigned for health reasons from her position and the treasurer's post was vacant. In the meantime, we have a new treasurer in Mr. Joachim Gruppe. In the past month, he has familiarized himself with the documents that were handed over to him in the run-up to the extraordinary general meeting. The powers of attorney with the banks have also been clarified, so that he can start with his work.

Two events are currently being planned by the Association, on the one hand are the activities for the Open Monument Day on September 10. This year this day is celebrated for the 30th time, the motto is 'Talent Monument'. The day will start at the kings’ hut industrial monument at 10 am with a church service and musical accompaniment. The plans are running. As in previous years, there will be guided tours starting at 11 a.m., providing a glimpse or two behind the facades of the buildings. The tours start every 90 minutes, meeting point is the smelter fountain. - Speaking of guided tours: on August 8, there was the 750th public tour of the grounds of the kings’ hut industrial monument and through the southern Harz iron works museum.  Food and drink will also be provided on the Open Monument Day, with coffee, cake and cold drinks in the ironworks tavern and grilled food and a hearty beer in front of the iron magazine. - The first exhibitors have already confirmed. From 2 p.m. there will again be musical accompaniment with music from the barrel organ, further exhibitors, which also take into account the historical ambience, will be requested. For children and young people there will again be an information rally, for some of the questions it is useful to participate in one of the guided tours. And ... the Brocken Gang invites children to search for a lost magic ring that Susie Salas - she lived at the kings’ hut as a child once has lost there. Participation in the guided tour is not required to answer these questions.

The second event is for the support group itself. Founded on December 3, 1983, it can look back on its 40th anniversary this year. This is to be celebrated naturally duly, namely on 4 November in the course hall of Bad Lauterberg. The preparations for this are just starting. As soon as more details are known, we will report on it.

Overview shot of the industrial monument kings’ hut (Koenigshuette) – below in the picture the roof of the south harz iron hut museum, above the remaining residential building

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guided tour in front of the machine factory

May 21 is International Museum Day. The 'Förderkreis Königshütte’ – support group kings’ hut - also invites you to the grounds of the industrial monument. We start at 10 a.m. with an open-air church service. Pastor Andreas Schmidt from the Paulus church congregation in the city of Bad Lauterberg will hold the service. He will be musically accompanied by Andreas Ziegler on the accordion.

Guided tours will be available every 90 minutes starting at 11 am.