Potsdam in color: A thousand pictures tell the city's history!

Potsdam in color: A thousand pictures tell the city's history!

In the heart of Potsdam, the Potsdam Museum - Forum for Art and History invites you to a special exhibition: "Potsdam in Color. Photographic (Insight)". FromAugust 16 to September 14, 2025Curious people and history buffs have the opportunity to discover almost a century of the city's history through the lens of color photographs. This impressive exhibition is located in the shopping street of Potsdam Central Station and was created in cooperation with the center management of the Bahnhofspassagen. The main goal is to reach people in the urban space and give them insights into the historical photo collection.

The images shown cover a wide period - from the late 1930s to the 1980s. The organizers are thus able to convey an impressive picture of the urban development and the color of the city. Picked from special moments in Potsdam's history, the color photos from the 1930s and 40s show the city before its destruction. The photographs from the post-war period document everyday life between destruction and makeshift arrangements.

The different eras of Potsdam

The exhibition addresses the change in urban design: in the 1960s, the transition to a socialist city took place, which was often accompanied by the loss of historical buildings. In the 1970s, socialist urban development, including new prefabricated housing estates and the decay of many old buildings, attracted attention. Ultimately, the images from the 1980s show both stagnation and a new beginning, triggered by civil society commitment to preserving the city center.

Particularly practical: QR codes integrated into the exhibition provide additional information about the individual photographs. If you want to discover even more, you can also find the color photos in the PotsdamHistory app under “Potsdam in Color”. The Potsdam Museum is also looking for private color photos from the 1990s to supplement its collection. Anyone interested can submit their photos outreach@rathaus.potsdam.de Send it in or visit the website www.potsdam-museum.de inform.

A look beyond the city's history

But it's not just the city's history that is characterized by art and culture. OnApril 3rdThe renowned author Robin Wall Kimmerer will give a public lecture at SUNY Potsdam. This is titled “Moving Beyond Gratitude: Our Responsibility to Develop a New Narrative for our World.” The lecture starts at6 p.mat the Sara M. Snell Music Theater and will be followed by a book signing and reception in the lobby.

Kimmerer, a member of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation and outstanding scientist, has made a name for herself as the author of works such as “Braiding Sweetgrass.” Her speech will be complemented by workshops for students studying her books and a meeting in the WISER Greenhouse. There will be a limited number of her books available for purchase. The organizers will also welcome her on campus in a special setting that emphasizes the partnership with the Potsdam Native American Initiative. Participation in the event is free and refreshing drinks will even be provided.

With this networking of historical insights and current discussions, Potsdam's cultural landscape is enriched with exciting facets.