The Foundation

Endowed with Meaning

The Historical Museum of the Palatinate is a foundation under public law. Its purpose is “to operate, maintain, and expand the Historical Museum of the Palatinate and communicate with the public”. That is what the the by-laws stipulate. The foundation receives the means by which it is to accomplish this purpose from annual contributions by its benefactors as well as from admission charges and other revenues. As sponsor of the Museum, the foundation has to be involved in all important decisions. In 1985, sponsorship transfered from the Historical Society of the Palatinate e.V. to the newly established Historical Museum of the Palatinate Foundation in Speyer.

The benefactors of the Historical Museum of the Palatinate are:

The Board of Directors

The Board of Directors of the foundation consists of the presiding Lord Mayor Werner Schineller, who is, at the same time, President of the Historical Society of the Palatinate; Vice-President Prof. Dr. Joachim Hofmann-Göttig, State Secretary in the Ministry for Education, Science, Youth and Culture for the Rhineland-Palatinate; Vice-President Hanspeter Brohm, Mayor of the City of Speyer; and Dr. Alexander Koch, Director of the Historical Museum of the Palatinate in Speyer.

Fourteen representatives of the respective sponsors together constitute the Board of Trustees. This advises the Board of Directors, concerns itself with finances and determines guidelines for the foundation’s activities.

Functions of the foundation

Collection, preservation, research and communication – those are the classic functions of a museum. The Historical Museum of the Palatinate Foundation has placed particular importance on the task of communication. Exhibitions and events are designed to advance the understanding of history and culture. Preservation and research take place behind the scenes, at the desks of the scholars and in the restorers’ workshops.

As a foundation under public law without an endowment, our museum is dependent on the financial support and friendly cooperation of partners and sponsors. That is the only way we can fulfill our purpose.