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Historic inn - 100 years of cosiness
Houses are contemporary witnesses. If you could talk, we would learn things that even the oldest people on earth would not be able to tell.
Our inn has also experienced changes in people, nature and itself in its hundred-year past. Over time, guests have sent us numerous postcards, books and newspaper advertisements from the past decades, which not only tell the history of the inn in pictures and writing. Mention the Heidemuseum", but also the creation of the nature conservation park and its buildings. Little by little we would like to add a little bit of history to this page. Little by little, with a little patience and one or two "new, historical postcards" we are adding to the history of our inn.
Dora Hinrichs & staff
On the initiative of the teacher Bernhard Drageförde and the pastor Willhelm Bode, today's main house was built in 1908/09 with the aim of establishing another inn in Wilsede, as the influx for the also newly built "Ole Huus" ("Heath Museum") Exceeded expectations.
Dora Hinrichs (on the right in the picture) took over the management in 1912ung the inn and thus created a traditional institution with good, home-style food and, in addition to the “Witthöft” inn, the opportunity to stay overnight in the nature reserve.
Advertising is a must
As early as 1926/27, guests were actively recruited. Here from a Heide travel guide from 1926/27. Since you weren't allowed to drive to Wilsede with your own car back then, they even offered to pick you up from Wintermoor train station.
The neighboring “Witthöfts Gasthaus” also advertised what is now taken for granted: electric light and a water pipe.
A 1930
While today's main entrance to our inn is on the main street side, until well into the 1960s it was the side facing the "Heidemuseum".
After a large terrace was later built at the back of the inn, the entrance was closed, the outside stairs and canopy disappeared, and the terrace area was planted. Only the field stone wall that surrounded the terrace “survived” the renovation.
Changes
Over the years, the “Zum Heidemuseum” inn has undergone small and large renovations. Inside, the counter disappeared, the walls were paneled with wood, and the large oven (still running through 4 rooms) was replaced.
There were also changes in the hotel area. The “Haus Domitzlaff” was later integrated as a hotel and the internal rooms were closed.
The large extension of today's "New Restaurant" as well as the large terrace and a new kitchen wing were built in the 70s/80s (aerial photo 1975).
The inn today
Today, more than 100 years after it opened, the inn has lost none of its rustic cosiness. Even though there have been many external changes in its originality, its flair remains unbroken.
In 2019, the original terrace on the side wing was even restored and can accommodate up to 40 guests.