Bronze plaque for reform garden: Monument protection honors Gut Barendorf

Bronze plaque for reform garden: Monument protection honors Gut Barendorf

In the north of Germany, more precisely near Lüneburg, a very special event will be celebrated next Thursday, July 3, 2025. The reform garden at Gut Barendorf receives a bronze plaque German Monument Protection Foundation (DSD), which honors the great commitment of the monument owners, Kai Lafrenz and Ulrich Völkmann. Professor Dr. Paul Georg Lankisch, local curator of the DSD, will present the plaque, which serves as a reminder of the commitment of the private sponsors.

The DSD is a non-profit organization that has been active since 1985 and is dedicated to the preservation of cultural heritage in Germany. Your support has had a significant impact on Gut Barendorf in recent years, as the reform garden is just one of over 560 funding projects made possible in Lower Saxony through private donations and the GlücksSpirale. These initiatives aim to harness and preserve cultural heritage, like the DSD emphasized.

A piece of history

The Barendorf estate, which was founded in 1850 by Conrad von Dassel, can look back on an eventful history. After banker Heinrich Bockelmann acquired the property in 1918, he had the park redesigned - a decision that still leaves visible traces today. In 2017, the gardens and the villa were finally placed under monument protection.

During the extensive renovation, particular emphasis was placed on the reconstruction of the reform garden. This also includes the swimming lake and the bathhouse, which now shine in new splendor. The bathing lake is around 50 meters long and is characterized by its formal design. The small bathhouse with the curved tiled tent roof has also been revitalized and invites visitors to enjoy this place of relaxation.

A look into the future

The presentation of the bronze plaque is not only a sign of the work done, but also a motivation for future support of the cultural monument. It is an appeal to everyone to continue to work towards the preservation of such places worth protecting and to preserve the cultural heritage for future generations.

The DSD, which is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year, is also planning various activities to raise public awareness of monument protection, such as the annual “Open Monument Day”. This makes clear the important mission of the foundation, which exists not only at the national but also at the international level, as the DSD explains as the central contact point for organizations such as UNESCO strengthening cultural assets.

Overall, the commitment to Gut Barendorf's reform garden shows that monument protection is not only a legal obligation, but also a social responsibility that affects everyone. This makes this place not only a piece of history, but also a living example of the future of cultural heritage in Germany.