Experience history

The Beilstein-Institut supports the reconstructions of the Justus Liebig Museum in Giessen

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Fire damage in the historic lecture hall of the Liebig Museum in December 2022 (Image: Justus Liebig-Gesellschaft zu Gießen e. V.).

On December 5, 2022, a fire destroyed the historic experiment table in the lecture hall of Justus Liebig's originally preserved laboratory. The analytical and pharmaceutical laboratory as well as the library were also affected by the fire.

After determining the cause of the fire, intent and negligence could be ruled out and the volunteers were able to start with the cleaning and reconstruction work. The first stage the cleaning of the ceilings and walls was completed at the end of January 2023. This was followed by the cleaning of sensitive exhibits and the authentic new construction of Liebig's experiment table. The safety and electrical systems will also be replaced as part of the reconstruction work. After the renovation, the museum will reopen regularly.

Before the fire, experimental lectures were held in the historic laboratory of the museum, which opened in 1920, and were very popular. Liebig's discoveries and inventions were presented in historical costumes and their significance for the science of organic chemistry and the chemical and pharmaceutical industry was explained.

In 2018, as part of an excursion, the employees of the Beilstein-Institut attended such an experimental lecture and enjoyed the special charm and flair of the premises.

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Employees of the Beilstein-Institut took part in an experimental lecture in the historical laboratory of the Liebig Museum in 2018 (Photo: Christian Lange).
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Image taken before the fire. Justus Liebig experimented here from 1824 to 1852. Today, the Liebig Museum is one of the ten most important museums for the history of chemistry (Image: Justus Liebig-Gesellschaft zu Gießen e. V.).

The special connection between the Beilstein-Institut and the Liebig Museum goes back a long way in history. The namesake of the institute, Friedrich Konrad Beilstein (1838-1906), was not only a relative of Justus Liebig (1803-1873), he also studied under him (1855/57) in Munich. The connection between the two scientists and their significance for the history of modern chemistry was one of the main reasons for supporting the reconstruction of the Liebig Museum.

At the general meeting of the Justus Liebig-Gesellschaft zu Gießen e.V. on May 10, 2024, Dr. Wendy Patterson, Scientific Director of the Beilstein-Institut, presented a donation of € 100,000 for the reconstruction of the Liebig Museum.

"Preserving Professor Liebig's legacy is of particular importance to us, and not just from a historical perspective. It is a matter close to our hearts to support the reconstruction of this special historical site and we look forward to visiting the museum again after the renovation," emphasized Dr. Wendy Patterson.

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Dr. Wendy Patterson, Scientific Director of the Beilstein-Institut, with Professor Dr. Gerd Hamscher, Chairman of the Justus-Liebig Gesellschaft zu Gießen e. V., at the donation presentation for the renovation of the Liebig Museum (Photo: Manuel Heinrich, Justus-Liebig Gesellschaft zu Gießen e. V.).
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Dr. Wendy Patterson met Barbara Gmelin Braun, great-great-great-granddaughter of the famous chemist Leopold Gmelin at the general meeting of the Justus Liebig-Gesellschaft (Photo: Manuel Heinrich, Justus-Liebig Gesellschaft zu Gießen e. V.). 

At the general meeting of the Justus Liebig-Gesellschaft in Gießen, Germany, Dr. Wendy Patterson met Barbara Gmelin Braun, great-great-great-granddaughter of the famous chemist Leopold Gmelin and chairwoman of the "Familienverband Gmelin e. V." association, at the general meeting of the Justus Liebig-Gesellschaft in Gießen, Germany.

In memory of Leopold Gmelin, who published the Handbook of Inorganic Chemistry in 1817, and Friedrich Konrad Beilstein, who founded the Handbook of Organic Chemistry in 1881/82, both women are dedicated to preserve the historical legacy of Justus Liebig who crossed the path of both, Gmelin and Beilstein.