Events
Local history society circles the old village
To celebrate its 25th anniversary, the local history society invited its members last Saturday to take a closer look at old Herborn-Seelbach. Despite summer temperatures exceeding 30 degrees Celsius, approximately 50 members gathered at the old school to explore the village under the guidance of Christian Görzel. The aim of the walk was not to point out existing buildings, but rather to illustrate a historical village layout that no longer exists today. Based on the analysis of historical maps and archival material from the State Archives in Wiesbaden, the amateur historian recalled, for example, old pathways in and around the village. The old village center and the presumed village fortifications were also reconstructed using a map from 1701 and traditional field names.
So the group set out to see the familiar Seelbach from a different perspective. After introductory remarks by Chairman Hans Benner, they walked from the old school through "die Eck," where the demolition of several old half-timbered houses and barns has already drastically altered the village's appearance. While space was created for roads and parking, the close-knit, cozy atmosphere was lost with the demolition of the old farmsteads. The walk continued to the "Alten Garten" (Old Garden) and through the "Lütsch" along the old village boundary, dating back to a time when the village was surrounded by a defensive wall. Here, the local history enthusiasts were given an explanation of the layout of the old village with its enclosed gardens. The name "vor der Stiegel" (before the Stiegel) also bears witness to this era. Upon reaching the Brunnenschänke (Well Inn), they were met with a pitiful sight: the dilapidated inn and the currently ruined village well.
But the historical knowledge surrounding this place cast it in a slightly different light that afternoon. Christian Görzel recalled the sadly now-vanished "stream wall" beneath which the Hirtenborn stream flowed out of the village, and where generations of young people had gathered on balmy summer evenings. At the beginning of the 19th century, the old blacksmith shop of Jakob Kring stood in the middle of what is now the intersection. Plans to convert it into a residence were never approved; instead, it had to make way for the construction of the new highway (today Marburger Straße). From the 1830s onward, traffic no longer passed through, but bypassed the old village center. Following the course of the Hirtenborn, the route led across to the southern part of the village's territory to the so-called "Butschel," where hikers were offered refreshments. In earlier times, the villagers frequently gathered here for celebrations.
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On the remains of the former moated castle of the Dernbach noble family, the so-called "Hohenzollern Oak" was planted 18 years ago to commemorate the Emperor's 25th anniversary on the throne. After a short break, the group moved from one shady spot to another. Information was shared along the way, including details of forgotten village rituals. For example, it was recalled that bonfires were regularly lit on the "Forstkopf" and the "Hardt" (today's sports field in the center of the village) to celebrate the Emperor's birthday. The village dignitaries formed a small procession, schoolchildren sang and recited poems, and special "Kaiserwecken" (Emperor's Bread) was baked for the children. Other events were also celebrated in this way, such as the 100th anniversary of Friedrich Schiller's death with a "Schiller Fire" on the Forstkopf. These were highlights in an otherwise rather dreary year. The two 19th-century linden trees, the "Wilhelmslinde" and the "Friedrichslinde," on the Hardt hill were also remembered. So much of the old village life has not survived the test of time and has gradually faded into oblivion. Arriving at the old roller mill, the local guide reminded the group of the defensive earthwork that once protected the narrow valley. This earthwork is still documented in old records from the 14th century.
Even today, old field names like "vor dem Schlag" (before the strike) still recall this defensive structure. The group returned to the old village along the old main street, today's Fahlerstraße. They soon reached the old village cemetery, now the Seelbach kindergarten. Here, the local history enthusiasts learned how, after several expansions, the cemetery eventually became too small, forcing the residents of Seelbach to find another suitable location, and how the current cemetery came to be on Hohe Straße. From the old drawgate (locally called "Fahler"), the group continued along the old village fortifications via the "Schäbel." Arriving at the church in the center of the old village, Görzel pointed out a striking feature. He noted that several places within the Seelbach district, significant to the town's history, share an interesting commonality. The places "by the cross" (today roughly the site of a resettled farm on the Alsbach), "Butschel," the church, the Frankish grave at the "Hardt," and "at the Holy Spring" (today roughly the site of the cemetery) lie, remarkably, exactly on a line. This line, in turn, connects very precisely the sunrise point of the summer solstice in June with the
Sunset point at the winter solstice in December. Coincidence or an important navigational aid for our ancestors? This too requires further consideration. Following what is likely the historical route of the High Road (today's Hardtstraße), the group ascended to the "Heul" ("Hollow"). Here, the High Road left our village through a gate and disappeared northward into the Schelder Forest. Reaching the bottom of the "Heul," the local history enthusiasts received a reference to the old Brandtweiher pond. No longer visible today, only the name "Weiherstraße" (Pond Street) recalls the once important structure, from which the fire department still draws some of its water. And one more thing should not go unmentioned: the Hirtenborn spring, now piped underground, would, under natural conditions, babble down into the old village here. The very old field name "auf der Klingel" (at the bell) still testifies to the once free-flowing and rushing stream. With these explanations, the somewhat unconventional village tour came to an end, and the hikers treated themselves to coffee and Backeskuchen (a type of cake) at the old bakehouse. The warmth of the old bakehouse was still sufficient to prepare a hearty meal for the local history enthusiasts later on. Everyone enjoyed the food, and the day ended with a pleasant get-together on a warm summer evening.
Small celebration in 2012 to mark the 25th anniversary of the Herborn-Seelbach Local History Society
After the Herborn-Seelbach Local History Society had already invited its members to a historical village tour at the beginning of August, it celebrated its 25th anniversary last Saturday with a small ceremony. Among the numerous guests who gathered at the Dernbachstuben were representatives of Seelbach's local clubs and neighboring local history societies.
In his introductory remarks, Chairman Hans Benner, who has led the local history society in Herborn-Seelbach since its founding, reviewed the history of the society and its activities of the past 25 years.
The village renewal program of 1986 sparked the desire for a local history museum in Herborn-Seelbach, which was realized in 1988 during the renovation of the "Old School." This commitment to local history led to the formation of the local history society in the spring of 1987. To this day, the museum and regular events such as the historical boundary walk and the spinning workshop remain important components of the society's activities.
But the implementation of “projects” such as the mining monument “Grubenlore” on the Hohen Straße, the preservation of historical paths (“Gruwe- u. Konfirmandepädche”) or the imposing coat of arms stones on the boundary of the district are also part of the active club life.
In recent years, the association has explored numerous local history topics, not least through exhibitions. These include exhibitions on handicrafts, church history, historical photographs, mill history, paintings by Anelise Deusing, war victims, field names, and much more. Benner also mentioned the Backesfest (baking festival), which was often the association's largest event.
He was grateful that the local history newsletter still exists today. Initially a product of the association itself, it soon merged with the local history societies along the Aar and Sieg rivers. "With its diverse articles, the newsletter documents the work of the local history societies and will hopefully continue to do so for a long time to come," said Benner. The audience was amazed by the wide range of activities undertaken by a local history society.
For the main keynote address, the chairman then handed the podium over to club member Joachim Heimann. Under the title "...of Home and History," he traced a broad arc from Herborn-Seelbach's recent past back to the turmoil of the Thirty Years' War and the witch hunts. He began by posing the question of what a local history society actually is, or could be. From this general consideration, he returned to the concept of home. Many individuals who had engaged with their "home" in various ways throughout history were mentioned. However, the central theme of the speech was the history and lives of women in Herborn-Seelbach. Since when have women been allowed to work without their husbands' permission? Since when have women had their own purses? The answers to such questions illustrated to those present the changes and maturation process of society, even in this small village in the lower Aar Valley. Life stories of women from the first half of the 20th century served as a reminder of the hardship and abject poverty many suffered at that time. The somber nature of the subject matter was somewhat lightened by interspersed dialect poems.
Heimann has intensively studied the witch hunts in the Aartal villages, vividly illustrating the suffering of the local population with numerous examples. It was truly gruesome back then. Slander, lies, and intrigue led to unimaginable suffering, including for women from Herborn-Seelbach. Under torture, many confessed to their pact with evil in minute detail. Stories that might make us smile in our enlightened age meant a direct death sentence for those convicted of witchcraft. The detailed account of the trials, including names and locations we still recognize today, was deeply moving. Who knows that at Hintersand, where we now park our cars, generations ago many accused of witchcraft were executed amidst the loud cries of the local population? Our modern understanding of witches is rooted in the accounts found in the witch trial records of that era. The lecture made it clear that the outcome of contemporary local history research cannot be an idyllic, romanticized image of home. After this impressive, almost somber excursion into the past, Heimann concluded with a conciliatory remark about the many positive developments for which we should be grateful today. "Despite everything, probably no generation has fared as well as the current one," Heimann said.
The speech concluded with best wishes for the future of the club and its work.
