German Emigration Center

The German Emigration Center (Deutsches Auswandererhaus) in Bremerhaven is a museum dedicated to the history of German emigration, particularly to North America and overseas destinations. It presents the social history of migration and the emigrant experience through immersive displays and archival material.

A staged sequence of exhibitions recreates the emigrant’s journey, from life in the homeland through the port and shipboard experience to arrival in a new country; the displays include personal documents, passenger lists and multimedia presentations. The center also supports research into migration history and family genealogy.

Developed as part of Bremerhaven’s cultural reinterpretation of its port heritage, the museum opened in the early 21st century and has since been a focal point for public engagement with migration history and memory.

Located in the port area of Bremerhaven in the state of Bremen, Germany, the museum sits close to historical emigration docks and other maritime attractions.

• Visitor focus: Interactive exhibits recreate the emigrant experience from home to ship, making it particularly useful for family visits and genealogy research.

What to See #

• Core exhibition: A reconstructed emigration quay and immersive galleries that trace the journey from departure in Germany to arrival overseas, including passenger registers and personal testimony exhibits.