The new Blindenmarkt Topotheque in the Mostviertel in Lower Austria was opened to the public with a presentation in the foyer of the Ybbsfeldhalle. There was great interest and among the more than a hundred visitors, numerous Topothequers from neighboring towns were also welcomed. After the opening by Mayor Alfred Brandstetter and a short explanation by Alexander Schatek, the Blindenmarkt Topotheque team led by Franz Wögerer presented five main topics. Afterwards, people were divided into groups at large screens where individual search queries were answered by the Topothequers.
The Topotheque, which already has almost 5,000 entries, offered detailed results. The local area of the market town of Blindenmarkt was already settled in the Bronze Age, but the photographic memorabilia only goes back to the 19th century, but from then on you will be able to find photos or evidence of almost all aspects of the community‘s history.With their publication in the Topotheque, the people in the numerous group photos from the early 20th century may still have a chance to achieve an identity that will make them all the more valuable for family research. One of the early photographic curiosities includes repairing the motorcycle tire from the time when the zipper had not yet been introduced, as can be seen from the many buttons on the young gentleman‘s motorcycle clothing, who may be demonstrating the corpus delicti for the camera – or is it just a cigarette he is holding in his hand?
The accident photo from the interwar period demonstrates that it is not advisable to drive over small bridges with heavy steam engines – whether it is a threshing machine or a road roller, as the front wheel suggests. Sailor uniforms as fashion, even for small children, were not necessarily dependent on large bodies of water. A cosy creek also provided sufficient justification for seafaring clothing, as this photo shows. The typical barrow and the wooden fence are striking to today‘s eyes, which are used to plastic strip fences and metal pushcarts. Many special features can be found in the numerous everyday photos that speak of the change in our way of life. Therefore, the preceding image is a reminder of the colors, the reed fence and the unpaved parking lots of the late 1970s and thus of many childhoods – it can be found under the search term „Audi“ or „Gasthaus Beham“ or „Birke“ . Search terms with which you can find what you are looking for in any area of interest.
Topothequer Franz Wögerer and his team look forward to your visit to the Topotheque of Blindenmarkt!
The Team of the Topotheque of Blindenmarkt with Mayor Alfred Brandstetter (4 from leftl) und team leader Franz Wögerer (7 from right) © Martina Gaind
The certificate from 1885, which was hidden behind a picture of ghe Virgin Mary. Both can be seen here
© Martina Gaind
Lively interes in on of four screens that were looked after by the Topothequers © Martina Gaind