In Homburg am Main, Johannes Follmer crafts fine paper by hand from cotton fibers and glue in the historic paper mill, just like his ancestors.
The Bischbach Creek, which springs very close by, was the reason why 200 years ago papermaker Leonhard Leinzinger dismantled his mill in Windheim and had it rebuilt in Homburg am Main. Today, Johannes Follmer is the fifth-generation papermaker.
In the Homburg Paper Mill Museum we embark on a journey back in time through the history of artisanal and industrial papermaking in a historic setting. With its distinctive pagoda-like hipped roof, the paper mill is one of the landmarks of the picturesque wine-growing town of Homburg in Lower Franconia, surrounded by the River Main and vineyards.
From 1807 - when the papermaking tradition was established in Homburg - until the mill was shut down in 1975, paper and cardboard were produced using water power. Clean process water and sufficient energy to drive the water wheel system were supplied by the Bischbach stream, which rose not far from the mill building.
The range of the earlier handmade papers included various writing and printing papers. Machines such as the Dutchman or the pan grinder for producing paper pulp later paved the way for industrial production in the paper mill. The cylinder mould machine, which was used in Homburg from 1887, made it possible to produce colored file covers. Homburg paper products were sold throughout Germany and exported as far as overseas.
Right next to the former production rooms were the living quarters of the papermaking family. Working and living were closely connected. After extensive renovation, the paper mill now presents itself as a museum that is unique in all of southern Germany. Today, handmade papers are once again produced in the paper mill using sieves and vats. The fine handmade papers are offered for sale in the museum, among other places, for use by artists.
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