Sunday, May 19, 2024, 11 a.m.

International Museum Day

Guided tour free of charge on International Museum Day.

Found Objects

The Mannheim US garrison depicted in objects

Welcome to MAEMORIES!

Since the surrender of Mannheim on March 29, 1945, members of the US Military had been continually stationed in the city until their final withdrawal in 2015.

Since the 1950s, Benjamin Franklin Village had been the center of the US garrison. The families of the soldiers lived here, went to school, did their shopping, and pursued their hobbies.

The former preschool is now the “House of MӔMORIES”, where the various aspects of American life and work in Mannheim can be experienced.

The exhibition is a joint project of MWSP and MARCHIVUM and is open to the general public.

Opening hours

HOUSE OF MAEMORIES
Saturday 1 pm – 5 pm
Sunday 11 am – 5 pm
Admission is free of charge.
Your visit

History

The US garrison in the course of time 

March 30, 1945
After several days of fighting and the surrender of Mannheim, US military units occupy the city.
December 12, 1951
Foundation of the „Deutsch-Amerikanische Frauenarbeitskreis e.V.“ (DAFAK).
October 23, 1954
The Paris Treaties are signed. They signal the transformation of US occupying forces into stationed troops through a residency agreement that includes Mannheim.
1954
The first German-American Friendship Week in Mannheim takes place, offering various cultural, sportive, and religious events.
1957
First German-American Fair, that then takes place annually until 2010.
December 4 until December 7, 1958
The first Albert-Schweitzer tournament takes place.
August 13, 1961
The construction of the Berlin Wall begins. The 1-18th Infantry from Mannheim travels to Berlin to lend support to the West Berlin garrison.
August 7, 1964
The US officially enters the Vietnam War.
1972
The first edition of the “Mannheim Messenger“ is published.
July 1, 1974
The „US Military Community Activity, Mannheim“ (USMCA Mannheim) is formed. For the first time, the garrison is largely independent from the Heidelberg garrison.
November 21, 1990
The Charter of Paris is signed. It is the formal end to the Cold War and the East-West conflict.
October 1, 2018
Transformation of USMCA Mannheim into 293rd „Base Support Battalion“ (BSB), now with curtailed independency.
1993
Closing of the ammunition depot in the Käfertal forest.
September 11, 2001
9/11: Al-Qaeda terrorists attacks on the US, followed by the “War on Terror” in Afghanistan and Iraq. Access to the Mannheim garrison is strictly reduced for security reasons.
May 31, 2011
Official deactivation of the USAG (US Army Garrison) Mannheim. The various areas are cleared in the following months and years. Only the airfield at Coleman Barracks is still actively used.
1945
1951
1954
1954
1957
1958
1961
1964
1972
1974
1990
2018
1993
2001
2011