Municipal Archives / Town History Library

Bonn Municipal Archives, first mentioned in a document in 1284, consider 1899 as their actual year of foundation. In that year, the Archives, still housed at the Old Town Hall, became an academic institution freely open to the public by a decree of the Lord Mayor. At the same time, a Town History Library was built (currently holding about 130,000 units, starting with the first Bonn printings from the 16th century), and various local historical collections were initiated. These include above all a very large picture collection, numerous significant Nachlasse, and a rich collection of autographs. Documents relating to Robert Schumann are found in several holdings. The most important ones are as follows:

• 8 letters by Robert Schumann
• 13 letters by Clara Schumann
• 8 letters by Schumann children (Elise 1, Eugenie 2, Ferdinand 1, Felix 1, Marie 3). These documents belong to the Nachlass of family Kaufmann or are individual acquisitions.
• Nachlass of Eugenie Schumann (handed over to the Municipal Archives in 1981 and 1985). Along with a number of letters, these holdings also include mementos and photographs, and particular mention should be made of documents relating to the publication and performance of the Violin Concerto in D minor from Robert Schumann’s Nachlass.

Part of these autographs, documents and objects is displayed in the two Schumann rooms at the Schumann House in Bonn-Endenich.