Deutsches Hirtenmuseum, Hersbruck

The German Shepherd Museum of the city of Hersbruck was opened in 1933. It is located in a listed ensemble consisting of a 16th century farmhouse, barn and another building with a large courtyard and garden. Clothing, implements and handicrafts of shepherds from all over the world give insight into this ancient profession in the main house. The permanent exhibition "Man - Animal" on the 2nd floor of the renovated barn of the German Shepherd Museum was opened on February 6, 2009. It forms the introduction to the museum theme. On about 230 square meters an entertaining and informative exhibition is presented, which traces the manifold relationships between humans and farm animals. It explains that people have kept animals since prehistoric times for work and transport, as suppliers of food and raw materials, and stages the keeping and feeding of cattle through the ages.

At more than ten locations within the exhibition, visitors young and old are invited to become active themselves and experience museum history with all their senses. For example, visitors can practice tightening the front yoke on a lifelike cow and then test their own pulling forces on a "yoke machine" developed for this purpose, eye to eye with the cow, so to speak.

For groups, school classes as well as adult groups, there is an extensive museum educational program, in which the concept "with all senses" is continued. The themed tour "From cow to butter", for example, includes milking and churning, and after the work is done, you can taste buttermilk and buttered bread.

Every year there are three to four special exhibitions on a wide variety of topics from art and culture. Traditional festivals such as Shepherd's Day on January 6, Sheep Festival in May, Sardinian Evening in June and Artisan's Market in September or Apple Days with apple variety show complete the offer of a living museum.