THE MAYOR STROOF HOUSE

Since 2009, the Denkmal- und Geschichtsverein has been presenting the historical and architectural monument it saved from demolition as the "House of History in Bonn on the Right Bank of the Rhine". It is a museum as well as a historical meeting, research and educational site at the same time.

Illustration: The Mayor Stroof House

The building

After 800 years of rule of the Vilich monastery over the Vilicher Ländchen, Napoleon established the civil "Vilich municipality" instead in 1808. It is the origin of today's city district Bonn-Beuel. It was not until almost a century later, in 1896, that the administration was transferred from Vilich to Beuel. The first mayor in Vilich was Leonhard Stroof (1757-1825). His residence, built around 1700/1720, is thus at the same time the first municipal office building in today's Bonn on the right bank of the Rhine.

The Bürgermeister-Stroof-Haus reflects the condition from the beginning of the 19th century, from late baroque to Biedermeier: half-timbering of the 18th century. Half-timbering of the 18th century (under "urban" plaster on the street side) with hollow tile/straw doll roof, open fireplace and flue on medieval quarry stone walls (hearth wall, well and hidden cellar vaults) as well as late baroque interior (Cologne stucco ceilings, wall panels, painting) with contemporary furnishings convey the official and residential atmosphere of the first Vilich/Beuel mayor.

Since 2009, the Denkmal- und Geschichtsverein has been presenting the historical and architectural monument it saved from demolition as the "House of History in Bonn on the Right Bank of the Rhine". It is a museum as well as a historical meeting, research and educational site at the same time.

The Mayor Stroof House is open every Friday and Sunday from 3 - 6 pm, except on public holidays. Admission is free, special tours by appointment.

The address is as follows:

Bürgermeister-Stroof-Haus, Adelheidisstraße 3, 53225 Bonn-Vilich