Uncovering the Past: A Youth's Fascination with Demolished Worker's Homes
Diving into the Neighborhood's History: A 16-year-old student from Ruhr area's Dortmund city will receive recognition at Bellevue Palace on Tuesday, earning a place among five winners in the Federal President's History Competition. Valérie Raillon, attending Dortmund's Goethe-Gymnasium, has prepared a comprehensive historical analysis of the demolished "Felicitas Settlement" in Dortmund. This early worker's colony was the second colliery settlement in the area and sparked Valérie's curiosity due to its age and unique history.
Going the Extra Mile: Valérie expanded her research beyond online searches and archive dives. She personally reached out to former residents of the colliery settlement, finding contemporary witnesses who had been resettled in the 1970s. Valérie expresses that this chance encounter brought additional insights to her research, broadening her understanding of her subject.
The Demise of Felicitas Settlement: The demise of the 40 houses nestled beside the blast furnace was largely influenced by new noise and environmental regulations. The older community felt that their relocation was influenced by economic factors, as many viewed the new policies as a pretext to further business objectives.
Engaging Young Minds: Organized by the Körber Foundation, the biannual history competition encourages young individuals to investigate local history. In this year's competition, over 5600 students participated, presenting 1651 entries. With the title "More than just a roof over your head. Housing has a history", the contest aimed to spark an interest in the past and preserve historical accounts.
Sparking a Movement: Valérie's detailed study of the Felicitas Settlement has inspired history education in local schools, including insights into the development of early worker's colonies. The youth of today are finding inspiring ways to understand and celebrate their community's heritage, furthering appreciation for their town's rich past.
To uncover more information about historical settlements and their demolition, consider contacting local archives or historical societies. Online resources, like Wikipedia, might also provide insights, although it's essential to proceed with caution to ensure the information is accurate and up-to-date.
Enrichment points:
- Local archives: Study the records and documents related to the Felicitas Settlement kept in Dortmund archives or German Historical Society (Deutsche Historische Gesellschaft)
- Historical Societies: Gather information from organizations like the German Historical Society (Deutsche Historische Gesellschaft), which could have resources to help.
- Online Resources: Utilize websites like Wikipedia, local historical websites to find information, although it might not be comprehensive.
- Academic sources: Explore academic journals or books on urban history, which can provide detailed information about historical settlements and their fate.
