District Administrator Dr Theophil Gallo recently visited the Habkirchen Customs Museum, not least to personally convey his congratulations on the occasion of the museum's 30th anniversary, which was celebrated in October 2023. Museum director Franz-Josef Fries was delighted and was happy to open the ornate parlour for the district administrator. The retired customs inspector from Habkirchen succeeded Manfred Nagel in 2016, who in turn developed the former customs building into a museum attraction for the entire region and managed it for more than two decades. "In fact, there are only three museums in Germany that document the tasks of customs in the past and today and display objects from the customs officers' everyday work," reported Franz-Josef Fries.
Numerous exhibits bring the history of the customs administration from the 18th century to the recent past to life. In addition to the uniforms on display in Habkirchen, there are also items of equipment that were used in the prosecution of criminal offences. There is an original Bavarian border sign (from around 1820) and a copy of Karl Marx's passport. This bears an entry stamp from the "Königlich bayrischen Nebenzollamts 1. Klasse Habkirchen". And the best way to find out about the smugglers' tricks is to listen to the personal and thoroughly entertaining experiences of the museum director.
District Administrator Dr Gallo was once again fascinated by the extraordinary exhibition. Anecdotes and stories about customs activities, into which Franz-Josef Fries provided many an insight, and his dressing up as a real customs officer made the visit an entertaining experience for the sole guest.
Inspired by all of this, the district administrator spontaneously suggested a cooperation with a similar organisation in a Polish partner district. "It is important to me to initiate encounters between people at different levels as part of our district partnerships. At the cultural level, we have already successfully brought mining museums together. I see great potential here to also bring together international knowledge and resources in the customs sector, which in turn will benefit our posterity." Dr Violetta Frys, Head of the European and Partnership Affairs Unit, is now in talks with potential cooperation partners on the Polish side. The biosphere partner district of Lubaczów has already signalled great interest.
The district administrator would also like to enable future guests from all partner districts to visit the Habkirch Customs Museum and thus support it. Franz-Josef Fries recognises the need for effective public relations, not least to ensure the continued existence of the museum. Last year, a good 1500 interested visitors found their way to this gem on the border river Blies.
"Of course, the Easter market and the bridge festival are real crowd-pullers. But guided tours in small groups or for school classes are also very popular. A great challenge last year was guiding eight members of the Saarland Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired. It was an incredible experience to see how you can "see" with your hands. In the end, it was a very successful event that can certainly be repeated. There is so much to marvel at here," said the dedicated museum director.
Franz-Josef Fries opens the museum at Blieskasteler Straße 2 every 3rd Sunday of the month from 2 to 5 pm or by appointment. The public can therefore visit again on Sunday, 18 February.
Fries is happy to point out that access to the Habkirch Customs Museum is also largely barrier-free for people with walking disabilities and wheelchair users. There are also several car parks in front of the building.