Cologne Women's History Association in a quandary: urgently looking for new rooms!

Cologne Women's History Association in a quandary: urgently looking for new rooms!

There is currently a worrying situation in Cologne for the Cologne Women's History Association, which has been bringing women and their stories into the focus of city society since 1985. The association only has its new premises at Höninger Weg 100 a, to which it moved in March 2022, temporarily. The lease for the current address expires at the end of the year, and an extension already granted until the end of 2025 remains the only positive news in an otherwise tense space search. The city has informed the association that it can offer little support in finding space, as suitable areas are few and far between. The association has been looking for new, larger rooms since the beginning of 2023 and would like to find around 200 square meters within the belt that can be easily reached by public transport.

The requirements for the new premises are high: the area should have a high load capacity for archive materials, ideally it should be on the ground floor or at least accessible by elevator. In addition, the rooms must be dry and barrier-free, without underfloor heating. The Cologne Women's History Association is not only committed to making women visible in the city's histories, but also to influencing the naming of streets after women - over 12% of the streets in the city now have women's names. Numerous activities are planned to further expand this potential.

Diverse offers and support options

The association is also active in creating exhibitions, books, articles and brochures about Cologne's women's history and offers city tours and lectures. Public perception and commitment to women's political issues are very important to him. With its projects, the association shows how important the preservation of history is for the Cologne feminist and migrant movement. Interested parties can use its website to obtain information about upcoming events and offers, such as vouchers for guided tours or participation in various events.

Despite the challenging situation when searching for space, the Cologne Women's History Association is happy to receive information about possible objects that meet the requirements. They are looking for creative ideas and new support to find the space they need for their important projects.

The city of Cologne is aware of its responsibility when it comes to the visibility and memory of women in the city's history, but the pressure on the housing market is making the air thin here too. A further step also shows how Cologne's approach to female history goes beyond the female figures on the town hall tower, which represents a symbol of the emancipation and fair memory of women.

The Cologne Women's History Association is making an important claim to the identity and history of the city and invites everyone to take part in this process. The search for new premises is not only a challenge, but also an opportunity to actively carry women's history into the future. Contact the club if you have tips or would like to get active yourself!