We began our day with a traditional northern European breakfast at our sweet boarding house--a variety of warm rolls, cheeses, and cold cuts, jams, soft butter, a hard boiled egg, and a big pot of freshly brewed coffee. We ate heartedly.
We were delighted to find that Bremerhaven has an entire museum devoted to the history of people immigrating to ports in America, Canada, Argentina and beyond. Die Auswanderer (Emigrant) Museum is a modern, theme museum that opened just a few years ago. This place was powerful--upon entering, you are given a passport of an actual passenger that left from Bremerhaven. The museum takes you through your journey step-by-step, from "your" hometown, to the docks, on the boats, through arrival, and living in your new home. While walking through the museum, tears would well up unexpectedly. It was rich.
The museum, located along the pier where passengers left from. This place received "best european museum 2007" award.
Photograph of the old port, late 19th century. The Ausewanderer museum would be located in the top right corner of the photograph.
Model ships showing the different eras---the little boat in the left foreground is early-mid 19th century, there is an early steamship from the late 19th century in the back, and an ocean liner from the 20th century takes up most of the photograph. 44 million Europeans immigrated to countries overseas between 1821 and 1914, accounting for one of the biggest migratory movements ever recorded in history. Sadly, all Bremerhaven passenger lists were lost but a few from the 1920's and 30's, either from lack of storage space in the archives or during WWII bombing.
Video:
On board a 19th century steamship, with auswanderer folk music ("Amerika") playing in the background.
Behind Lesley is where the old dock was, in between her and the museum in the distance. It is now being used for small pleasure boats.
A nice promenade a short walk from the museum.
Bremerhaven's harbor light
