Steel on the heath shirt 2013

A museum must preserve its objects. However, this often only applies to their appearance: Whether technical objects should also be preserved in such a way that they function is a matter of debate in the museum world. This is because functionality requires regular use of the object and the associated wear and tear. As soon as original parts need to be replaced, the museum has to weigh up the options: Is the functionality so significant that replacement and modern parts are installed? At what point does the object lose its authenticity?

On the other hand, technical objects are not purely aesthetic objects to look at, but have a performative element. The central technical elements of a tank are driving and shooting – but this is not an end in itself. Battle tanks are machines of violence that destroy and kill or threaten to do so.

The full range of functions of a historic vehicle can hardly be conveyed. Driving is only a small part of a tank’s function, but it can be shown during a demonstration. Nevertheless, a demonstration of moving objects enhances the visitor’s experience: From a stationary steel turret in an exhibition, a tank in motion becomes more tangible, audible and perceptible as a moving means of power.

Many of the vehicles in the German Tank Museum Munster are in running order. The Bundeswehr’s training collection maintains the vehicles with the help of volunteer “hobby commanders”. They were repeatedly shown in demonstrations, often for members of the Bundeswehr, and later more and more for the public as part of the “Open Day”.

The museum has been organizing “Steel on the Heath” since 2012. On the first weekend in September, drivable vehicles were demonstrated on a large gravel parking lot next to the museum. Due to the limited space, the number of visitors had to be reduced to 7,500 and tickets sold out in seconds. From 2018, there was a live stream on the internet, which up to 62,000 people watched at the same time.

At “Stahl auf der Heide”, the moving tanks took center stage, but in an educational institution such as a museum, they were not allowed to become a mere spectacle. The museum also offered contextualizing commentaries on the show as well as a supporting programme. These included scientific lectures, model-making demonstrations, insights into the stationary tanks and historical actors from the Roman and Napoleonic eras.

The festival character of “Stahl auf der Heide” has always been important. The first Stahl shirt was produced back in 2013. Until 2019, when the event had to be suspended until the renovation was completed, there was a shirt with a new design every year. They were only available at the event and often sold out quickly. In 2019, the last year for the time being, the shirt was then also offered as an on-demand print to give everyone who was interested a chance to purchase a T-shirt on site.

Object of the month

(short) stories from the depot

Unfortunately, many objects cannot currently be shown in the exhibition for conservation reasons. Here you will find unusual objects and exciting stories of special pieces from the depot