#DiscoverYourGermany

Places of German Heritage

Find engaging stops along the route of your cultural heritage. Museums, memorials and historic sites – like birthplaces of famous Germans – all hold historical and cultural meaning for the immigration story from Germany to America.

Bremerhaven and Hamburg, two major German emigration ports, are home to well-known modern emigration museums equipped with genealogy and research facilities. But there are many other historic sites, museums and points of interest to inform your search. Here you’ll find a list of places that hold historic treasures – and maybe even some hints about the roots of your family tree. Find inspiration to go and visit them yourself, retracing the steps of millions of German emigrants and learning their stories. Get to know places of historic significance such as Remscheid, the birthplace of X-rays, and Laupheim, the hometown of Universal Studios founder Carl Laemmle, and many more.

You’re invited to browse Germany’s many museums and memorials and walk in the footsteps of notable German emigrants – your ancestors.

Visit a Museum

The museums listed here are dedicated to the journey and to the brave Germans who came to America in search of a better life. You’ll find everything from sophisticated collections with extensive archives to boutique exhibits with specialized displays.

Honoring the Past

Honor German history as well as your ancestors’ in our Memorials section. Some Germans really left their mark: in the form of a street name, a birthplace, a military memorial, a historical monument or even a festival held in their honor – and you can browse through many of them right here.

Where History Comes Alive

Have you ever dreamed of touring Germany to retrace the steps of famous Germans and German emigrants? There are many places where you can do just that. And with a guide, you’ll be immersed in the stories and biographies that make history come to life. Start exploring right here to discover the German origins of Grace Kelly, Harry S. Truman, Mark Twain, Charles Bukowski and more.

Places