Exploration of a Utopian Realm, a Reverse Odyssey to the Pulp Factories
### Unveiling the Charm of Historical Kitchen Gardens: A Case Study from LVR Industrial Museum Alte Dombach in Bergisch Gladbach
In the heart of Bergisch Gladbach, the LVR Industrial Museum Alte Dombach boasts a captivating kitchen garden that offers a glimpse into the past, reflecting the lives and work of the paper makers who once thrived in the region.
#### The Significance of Historical Kitchen Gardens
Historical kitchen gardens, such as the one at LVR Industrial Museum Alte Dombach, hold cultural, historical, and environmental importance. They serve as living testimonies to the architectural style and agricultural practices of their time, showcasing local flora and traditional farming methods. In Bergisch Gladbach, where traditional half-timbered houses are common, these gardens are an integral part of the area's overall aesthetic and historical appeal.
#### A Balanced Approach to Maintenance
Maintaining historical kitchen gardens requires a delicate balance between preserving their original character and ensuring they remain functional and sustainable. At the LVR Industrial Museum Alte Dombach, this is achieved by maintaining a variety of traditional fruits, vegetables, and herbs, using organic gardening practices, and encouraging local wildlife.
#### Restoration and Revival
Restoring historical kitchen gardens demands careful planning and attention to historical accuracy. At the LVR Industrial Museum Alte Dombach, this process includes historical research, conservation of existing features, implementing sustainable practices, community involvement, and collaboration with experts.
#### The Garden's Volunteer Caretakers
The garden at LVR Industrial Museum Alte Dombach is lovingly maintained by three volunteers: Ajoub Sattarzadeh, Jochen Zieriacks, and Sabine Schiek. For these dedicated individuals, gardening serves as a balancing act to their work lives and a means of giving back to their community.
#### A Garden Rich in History and Culture
The museum's garden is a historical document that reflects the culture of the society of the time. It was created in 1999 to document the work and life of the paper makers, including their self-sufficiency through kitchen gardens. The garden is a fraction of the former garden area, which included the current play and orchard area and playground until the 1970s.
#### A Haven of Greenery in an Industrial City
In the industrial cities of the 20th century, a garden provided a welcome contrast to the stuffy monotony of the factories. The garden at LVR Industrial Museum Alte Dombach harmoniously blends with the ensemble of museum buildings, orchard/picnic area, and playground, with an old pump adding a nostalgic touch.
The garden is usually not open to the public, but it is opened during museum events for interested visitors. It includes an insect hotel, raised beds, field areas, a greenhouse, fruit trees, a compost pile, decorative beds, and many vegetable beds.
For Sattarzadeh, Zieriacks, and Schiek, maintaining the garden brings a deep sense of satisfaction. Sattarzadeh, who moved to Bergisch Gladbach from Iran 41 years ago, maintains a part of the museum with his gardening as a way to give back to society.
In the end, the garden at LVR Industrial Museum Alte Dombach stands as a testament to the past, a sanctuary in the present, and a beacon for the future, offering a unique blend of history, culture, and sustainability.
- The kitchen garden at LVR Industrial Museum Alte Dombach, a historical treasure, mirrors the past lifestyles and work of paper makers, reflecting an intersection of science (agriculture practices) and lifestyle (historical ways of living).
- The garden's maintenance acts as a harmonious blend of health-and-wellness (gardening as physical exercise), mental-health (therapeutic benefits of gardening), and home-and-garden (preservation of traditional farming methods).
- Cooking, specifically the use of fresh produce from the garden, aligns with the food-and-drink aspect of modern lifestyle, showcasing the garden's impact on daily life.
- Over the years, the garden at LVR Industrial Museum Alte Dombach has evolved into a haven of greenery, a perfect example of home-and-garden gardening that fosters biodiversity and promotes sustainability in the realm of health-and-wellness and environmental conservation.
