THANK YOU FOR VISITING THE "BERTA-HUMMEL-MUSEUM"

We are pleased to welcome you to the birthplace of the artist, Berta Hummel. On the following pages you will learn that Berta Hummel created much more than those childhood scenes, which later became the basis for the world-famous "Hummel figurines." As you read on, you will learn interesting facts about the Hummel home, a place rich in tradition and culture. The website takes you through the museum itself, informs you about the permanent exhibits and any current special exhibitions. Detailed information is also available about the impressive life of the artist and nun Berta Hummel / M. Innocentia. Finally, in the Museum Shop, you can look through the items available and, if you wish, order directly via internet. Enjoy your visit!

Special Opening Times

18. February: 09:00 - 17:00
19. February: 10:00 - 17:00
20. February: 09:00 - 17:00
21. February: closed
22. February: 09:00 - 17:00

Christmas Market in the Berta Hummel Museum in the Hummel Family Home

The decorations for the Advent festivities were in place on the first Sunday in Advent in the Berta Hummel Museum in the Hummel Family Home. The old Hummel manger was standing in the showroom, all of the Hummel mangers from the previous years were on display along with all of the new Hummel figurines. On that Advent Sunday Marion Huschka from the Porcelain Factory in Rödental was available to show the visitors how Hummel figurines are made. Many visitors were there to look over her shoulder and observe the intricate work that goes into the forming of such a figurine.

There was no admittance fee to the museum that day. The rooms were crowded with people watching the work on the figurine and also enjoying the exhibition "Max, Moritz and Liesl with her geese - Wilhelm Busch meets Berta Hummel". The drawing for the winner of the figurine "Gratulantin" took place at 5 p.m.

On Monday morning Marion Huschka visited the Berta Hummel Grade school in Massing. For over four hours the pupils were able to watch her work and then try their hand at modeling their own figurines.

M.I.Hummel Zeitgeist

M.I. Hummel Zeitgeist is a new interpretation of the classic Hummel-Figurine. By renouncing the painting, the focal point is on the essence of the figurine - its shape. Thereby, main characteristics remain but the different design sets the figurine in a complete new light. Structure instead of ornament. The creative driving force behind the Zeitgeist range are the siblings Veronika and Maximilian Hummel, descendants of Berta Hummel, creator of the world-famous M.I. Hummel-Figurines. With their motto ‘less is more’ the Hummel siblings link arts and crafts tradition with the present. The metamorphosis of a classic to modern sculpture. M.I. Hummel Zeitgeist is being produced by the Manufaktur Rödental in Germany. The high-quality porcelain figurines are made by hand in a complex manufacturing process during which they are molded, cast and go through the process of firing several times.
http://www.gestattenhummel.de

Centa Hummel - Berta Hummel's youngest sister passed away

Centa Hummel passed away in Passau at the age of 99, just before her 100th birthday. She was the favorite sister of Berta Hummel, the artist, and was also a well-educated woman. After finishing her studies, she worked as a teacher for physical education and handicrafts in a number of schools. Then, until her retirment she worked as a teacher of sport (Studienrätin) at the Freudenhain College Prep School in Passau. She was buried on Friday, September 30th, 2011 in the family grave in Massing.

Hummel Festival in USA

The American M. I. Hummel Club held its annual convention in Orlando Florida on August 4-6, 2011. 600 members from 87 different American clubs met at the Contemporary Resort in Disney Park and were then joined by three German Hummel Club members.

Jörg Köster, the owner of the Rödental Porcelain Factory, greeted the visitors with the words "It's time for Hummel!". Mr Alfred Hummel, head of the Berta Hummel Museum in the Hummel family home in Massing, was the main attraction of the convention. He presented a program about the life and accomplishments of his aunt, Berta Hummel , and spoke to the visitors about the Berta Hummel Museum itself. During the presentation he showed pictures of over 100 Berta Hummel originals, some of which had never been show to the public before. The audience enjoyed every minute of the program. Sister Claudia-Maria from the Franciscan convent in Sießen showed a short film about the life and works of Berta Hummel during her time in the convent.

The three-day convention also gave the Hummel Club members time to visit and share ideas. They were also given the chance to observe Marion Huschka from the
Rödental Factory while she modeled and formed a Hummel figure. Members could take part in various activities in the ballroom, including Bingo, dexterity games and even an auction. The proceeds, a grand total of $26,000, was given to an American charity for children.

The first evening - The Bavarian Evening - was celebrated in Bavarian traditional costume and with Bavarian music. The convention ended with a gala dinner, including dancing and good times until late in the evening.

Presentation of new M.I.Hummel figurines

Sunday, the 19th of June, 2011 was a special day for the Hummel Museum in the Hummel family home.

Mrs Marion Kotschenreuther of the M.I. Hummel Club visited the Hummel Museum to present the new Hummel Collection 2011 - Part II. This was the first showing world-wide and many friends of Hummel art took the opportunity to catch up on the latest Hummel information. The numerous visitors took part in the drawing with the chance of winning the M.I. Humel bust. Jahn Tyler of Wrightstown, WI USA was the happy winner.

All of the visitors were then invited to visit the exhibition "Max, Moritz and the Goosegirl - Wilhelm Busch trifft Berta Hummel" free of charge.

"Pälzer Hummele" is 15 years old

The "Pälzer Hummel Club" celebrated its 15th anniversary this year from May 20th to May 22nd. There were approximately thirty members of the club present and also a number of other visitors from Hamburg, the Ruhrgebiet and even some from Holland. Ms Marion Kotschenreuther from the M.I.Hummel Club in Rödental arrived and congratulated the club in the name of the Porcelain Factory in Rödental. She also presented the club with a lovely figurine with a special inscription on it. Mr Alfred Hummel, Berta Hummel's nephew and the director of the Berta Hummel Museum in Massing, presented the club with the Catalogue raisonné signed by Berta Hummel's youngest sister, Centa Hummel. Following a dinner with specialties from the area, the guests were shown a power point presentation about Berta Hummel and about the museum in Massing.

Hummel Altar in Tuttlingen

In 1940 Berta Hummel painted two pictures for the altar of St. Gallus church in Tuttlingen/Baden Würtemberg. They were both placed in the "Marien-Altar" next to a relief of E. Sutor's "Schutzmantelmadonna". The pictures are titled: "Maria in der Freud" and "Maria im Leid."

Official opening of the exhibition: Max and Moritz and the Goosegirl - Wilhelm Busch meets Berta Hummel

At 7 p.m. on the evening of May 13th, Afred Hummel greeted the many guests in the charming garden behind the museum. The President of the Lower Bavarian Parlament, Mr Manfred Hölzlein, opened the new exhibition with a witty speech. Mrs Brunngraber-Malottke, the curator of the Wilhelm Busch Museum in Hannover, caught everyone's attention with an interesting speech on the life and personality of Wilhelm Busch, including the artistic accomplishments of this world famous painter. Following the official part of the program, the guests enjoyed a sociable evening in the garden, accompanied by the excellent music group from Mühldorf "astimegoesby."

We have received 54 exhibits from the German Museum for Caricature and Drawing - The Wilhelm Busch in Hannover http://www.karikatur-museum.de. Among these are the famous drawings of "Max and Moritz - pranks 1 and 3" and "The pious Helene." From his Munich pictures, we are displaying "Little Pepi with his new trousers", "Die Entführung aus dem Serail" and many others. Many of his lesser-known works from the series "Zeichnungen nach der Natur" along with portraits and oil paintings from his home in Wiedensahl can be seen. 40 pictures by Berta Hummel are also on display. Her pictures give a sampling of her life works, but also include The "Gänseliesl" and "Max und Moritz" both being shown for the first time. We are also pleased to be able to show some children's pictures in ink and in chalk for the first time.

Berta Hummel Run in Massing

The spring weather was perfect for the Berta Hummel Run at the Lower Bavaria Open-Air Museum in Massing on April 3, 2011. Marco Sturm from the LLC Marathon in Regensburg was able to continue his winning streak. Gerlinde Wimmer from the athletic club in Eggenfelden took the women's first place trophy. The organizer of the run, Mr. Rony Wunderlich, and his helpers were enthusiatic about the perfect conditions and the well-organized run. Stefanie and Michael Hummel presented each of the winners with a valuable Hummel figurine. The prizes were made possible by the Berta Hummel Museum in the Hummel family home and the Porcelain Manufacturing Company in Rödental.

Visitors from the United States of America

The president of the American Hummel Club, Carrie Kulak, and the manager of the American Hummel branch office, Phil Ferrigno, came Massing straight from the USA to visit the museum in Massing. After a tour of the museum, Veronika and Alfred Hummel took them through the Hummel archives. The guests were especially pleased to see the archives. A large number of the Hummel figurines were patterned after these Hummel originals. Before the guests continued on to the porcellan factory in Roedental, they stopped for lunch in the Lower Bavarian Open Air Museum.

picture: from left to right: Alfred Hummel, Karrie Culak, Phil Ferrigno, Veronika Hummel

New Worldwide Presentation in Berta Hummel Museum

What we have all been waiting for finally happened in the Berta Hummel Museum on February 26th, 2011. The Hummel Collection 2011 was shown to the world for the first time at the VIP-M.I.Hummel New Figurine Presentation. At 4 p.m. Alfred Hummel greeted all the guests and took them through the museums's exhibition "Freedom and Free Spirits - Olaf Gulbransson meets Berta Hummel". During the walk through the exhibition Alfred Hummel informed the guests about the life and works of Berta Hummel. Then the Hummel Club members had the exclusive opportunity to view some of the newly acquired, original Hummel figurines, before they are presented to the public. Following the viewing Mrs. Marion Kotschenreuther, of the M.I.Hummel Club in Rödental, presented the new figurines for 2011 to the distinguished visitors. The winner of a drawing also received the prize - a Hummel icon.

Visitors to the Berta Hummel Museum had the chance to view the present exhibition free of charge on Sunday, February 27th. That afternoon Mrs. Kotschenreuther presented the new collection to the public. Over 100 "Hummel friends" took advantage of this opportunity to view the new figurines while enjoying a cup of coffee and a piece of homemade cake. There was also a drawing that afternoon and the winner took home the Hummel Figurine HUM 13/0 "Meditation".

It was an enjoyable weekend for "Hummel friends" who had come from near and far. On June 19th, 2011 the new Hummel Figurines for the second half of the year 2011 will be presented for the first time in the Berta Hummel Museum.

May we introduce.....Hummel

A completely "different" Hummel shop was opened on the Roman Stone Bridge "Steinerne Brücke" in Regenburg on Saturday , November 13th, 2010. Sister and brother Veronika and Maximilian Hummel (great niece and great nephew of the artist Berta Hummel) opened the "smallest" Hummel shop in the world - a shop with just under 10 square meters. Maximilian Hummel was the architect of the unusual shop design. The shop sells only Hummel products, including Hummel figurines, Hummel cards, calendars and books. The name of the shop "gestatten.....Hummel", part of the J. Hummel KG, is being run by Veronika Hummel herself.

Original Hummel paintings made available for purchase

On July 7th, 2010, my daughter Veronika and I were able to acquire 29 original Hummel paintings and a number of colored photos and copies of photos which had belonged to Sister Laura, my aunt’s assistant. After a long period of dealings with the W. Goebel Porcelain Factory, Wolfgang Seidl was able to purchase a number of original Hummel paintings from the archives in Rödental. Mr Seidl made us the first offer of these orginals which were done during my aunt’s time in the convent in Sießen. These originals were so important that we felt we simply had to purchase them for our museum. The government of Lower Bavaria, the town of Massing and the county of Rottal-Inn assisted us in making these purchases. A few originals were also bought by the convent itself and the rest were quickly bought up by Hummel fans. These new purchases will be presented to the public at a date in the near future.

Hummel Figurines in the Far East

Hummel Figurines were first produced in the year 1935 - 75 years ago. In honor of this anniversary the Shiamas Firm invited "Hummel" to visit Hong Kong. The firm was also celebrating its 35th anniversary at the same time. The firm has been selling Hummel Figurines for the past twenty years in four shops in Hong Kong, in a shop in Taipeh in Taiwan as well as in six shops on the mainland of China - including Shanghai and Beijing. During the celebration Afred Hummel gave a speech about the life of Berta Hummel, about the Berta Hummel Museum and about the area in and around "Rottal". The members of the Chinese Hummel Club were delighted to hear details about the life of Berta Hummel, information that had not yet reached Hong Kong. They also enjoyed learning about the country Berta Hummel grew up and lived in. A number of interesting conversations took place with the collectors and a number of Hummel figurines were signed by Alfred Hummel himself. Several of the club members expressed a desire to visit Germany in the year 2011 and hoped to include a visit to the Berta Hummel Museum in their itinerary.

75 Years of Hummel Figurines

The first forty-six Hummel figurines were shown at the Spring Trade Fair in Leipzig in 1935. This was the beginning of the Hummel figurine success story that reached round the world. In memory of this event in Leipzig 75 years ago, the Porcelain Factory in Roedental is presenting a special edition of 50 Hummel figurines, limited to 75 for Europe and 75 for the USA. These figurines have a special stamp on the base, are individually numbered and will include a ceramic stand and a certificate. The orders will go out around the middle of June 2010 on a 'first come first served' basis.

Events at the Open-Air Museum Massing

For actual events and exhibitions of the Open-Air Museum Massing please visit www.freilichtmuseum.de.