In the Pernstein Hall of the Neupernstein Castle Cultural Center, the Kirchdorf Topotheque was officially launched online. Mayor Markus Ringhofer, who was instrumental in establishing this Topotheque, expressed his delight at its realization: „It was particularly important to me to protect the numerous historical artifacts found in Kirchdorf from being forgotten by creating a digital archive, and above all, to preserve them in a structured way for future generations. Therefore, I am especially pleased that the intensive preparatory work has borne fruit and that there is such great support and interest in the Kirchdorf Topotheque.“ Topotheque curator Ewald Breitweiser led the evening‘s proceedings and introduced his fellow curators Franz Braunsberger, Kurt Dobersberger, Hannes Grufeneder, Peter Stögmüller, and Ingrid Pohn. Historian Sigfried Kristöffl was also invited to the podium, where he, together with Anton Aschauer, Peter Stögmüller and Hannes Grufeneder, presented details of the city‘s history and spoke about the benefits of joint and digital collecting.
Siegfried Kristöfl, historian and head of the Topotheques project in the LEADER region of Traunviertel Alpenvorland, explains: „There are now around 20 Topotheques in the Region – these collect the memories of the communities and make them accessible. I am particularly pleased that we have a new addition with the Kirchdorf Topotheque, which is being worked on with such dedication and is attracting so much interest.“
Historian Anton Aschauer, archivist and Tpothequer, referred in his contribution to the “Schreiblmayr Chronicle” from 1883: “This chronicle is one of the few early written works that provide information about the history of Kirchdorf up to the end of the 19th century and it can now be read at leisure in the Kirchdorf Topotheque.”
Peter Stögmüller, former editor-in-chief of the Kremstaler Rundschau and also active as a Topotheque curator, made the illustrated chronicle “Kirchdorf – vom Angerdorf zur Bezirksstadt” available as a digital copy for the Topotheque.
Another special feature was a piece of postal history: the very first postcard in history was sent from Perg to Kirchdorf. At least as a digital copy — stored in the Berlin Museum of Communication — it can now be found in connection with Kirchdorf‘s history. The various aspects of the celebrations for Kirchdorf‘s elevation to city status in 1976 are extensively documented. Here, one can also find details whose historical relevance is often overlooked: what kind of decorative candles were used at the buffet, how the food was arranged—back then, chicken drumsticks still had to be wrapped in paper—and the majestic gladiolus was still highly prized due to a lack of ornamental flowers from the Far East.
Big stage and great excietement in the castle of Neupernstein © Franz Braunsberger
Mayor Markus Ringhofer opens the evening and hands over the Topothek to the public. © Franz Braunsberger
Ewald Breitwieser moderated the evening © Franz Braunsberger
Peter Stögmüller and Anton Aschauer with the Schreiblmayr chronicle © Franz Braunsberger
Hannes Grufeneder explains how to search in the Topotheque © Franz Braunsberger
Topthequers in discussion: Hannes Grufeneder and Anton Aschauer © Franz Braunsberger
Long conversations to round off the evening © Franz Braunsberger