A visit to the historical archive of Messe Frankfurt
“Life is lived forward and understood backward.” Following this conviction from Danish philosopher Kierkegaard, Messe Frankfurt's extensive Historical Archive assumes an important enlightening function.
Valuable historical documents, surprising curiosities and almost forgotten treasures are stored in 600 light-flooded square meters on level 3 of exhibition hall 9.
Archivist Peter Kerwien knows almost all the stories about them. The oldest document is not quite as old as the 800-year-old Frankfurt trade fair, but it does date back to 1553 and warns against fraud involving supposedly gold-infused fabrics.
Original pieces of the wooden cycling track recall the traditional six-day race held in the Festhalle from 1929 to 1933 and 1951 to 1983.
Messe Frankfurt’s annual reports since 1907, some with handwritten corrections, report among other things on the conference with exhibition of the German Society for Obstetrics and Gynecology, which was held at the fairground as early as 1931.
More than 80,000 photos document the rapid development of the exhibition center and the events in good and in difficult times.
Organizers and exhibitors with a long Messe Frankfurt tradition receive active support from Peter Kerwien when researching data or searching for photographic material in the context of company anniversaries. All archived documents and photos are digitally registered and indexed.
Are you curious now?
This Wednesday, May 21, Messe Frankfurt are offering a guided tour of the Historical Archive with Peter Kerwien, 1:20pm – 2pm. Register right here:
saleslocations@messefrankfurt.com
Booth F030 
