AMERICAN DREAMS

What is the American Dream? Boundless freedom? New ventures and exploration? The path from poverty to wealth?
Many people from Baden and Württemberg set out for the United States. They fled poverty or persecution and wanted to save their lives. Or sought success and adventure. They all had and have their own American Dreams. For some, they came true. The beggarly Leidring farmer's son Andi Huonker made a million dollar fortune in the gold rush in Alaska. The communist Anna Nill also became rich in America and donated her fortune to needy children from her hometown of Mössingen.

For others, their dreams burst like soap bubbles. Franz Gräter from Schwäbisch Hall ended up as an alcoholic. The revolutionary had been forced to emigrate and returned poor from the USA to Württemberg 16 years later.

Around 200 original objects - from gold rush nuggets to wooden pillows - tell the stories of 40 people from three centuries. They all left the German Southwest to start a new life in America.