A life for history: Dr. Sarholz and Bad Ems' legacy

A life for history: Dr. Sarholz and Bad Ems' legacy

On January 15, 2025, Bad Ems is all about history and cultural heritage. Dr. Hans-Jürgen Sarholz, a relevant actor in the preservation of city history, has left a lasting impression in his role as archivist and museum director for decades.

born in 1956 in the Marienkrankenhaus, which today serves as a town hall, Sarholz grew up in Bad Ems. He received his school education at the Freiherr vom Stein School and the Goethe-Gymnasium before graduating from high school in 1973. He initially started his studies with the teaching position at primary and secondary schools, but soon felt a dislike of school service. Instead, he devoted himself to history at the University of Mainz, where he dealt intensively with the historical roots of his hometown.

a life's work for Bad Ems

dr. Sarholz received his doctorate in 1992 with his dissertation to "Bad Ems from Ancien Régime to Industrialization, 1750 to 1914" and has managed the Museum and City Archives Bad Ems since 1986, supported by a committed volunteer team. These institutions play a central role in securing and accessing historical documents.

An important part of his work was the sighting and rescue of altaces, including documents for the aranization of Jewish possessions during National Socialism. His activity made it possible for a large number of researchers, such as Wilfried Dieterichs, to access valuable sources in order to further explore and make the city's history.

Bad Ems as a UNESCO World Heritage Site

The efforts to preserve the cultural heritage were rewarded in 2021 with the inclusion of Bad Ems in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. On July 24, 2021, the city was recognized as part of the "Great Spa Towns of Europe". This international recognition recognizes the outstanding cultural heritage and the important role of Bad Ems in the history of the European health resorts.

Bad Ems was recorded in this prestigious list together with other historical spa baths such as Karlsbad in the Czech Republic and Bath in England. This award emphasizes the importance of the city not only for Germany, but for all of humanity and obliges to ensure its cultural heritage.

a review and an outlook

After retiring in August 2021, Dr. Sarholz actively committed to pass on city history, especially when working with school classes. His hobbies that include hiking, cycling and the model railway gives him the opportunity to enjoy his free time and at the same time maintain the connection with his hometown.

dr. Hans-Jürgen Sarholz has thus made a significant contribution to the preservation and mediation of the history of Bad Ems. The city thanks him for his decades of work, which not only preserves the past, but also inspires future generations.

[Ben-Kurier] reports that Dr. Sarholz has contributed to the refresher of historical memory through its diverse publications, such as "Jewish life in Bad Ems" and "Spa Resort. Kurhaus Bad Ems". His works are considered in the "Bad Emser Issue" series.

[Wikipedia] emphasizes that Dr. Sarholz is perceived not only as a historian, but also as a committed citizen and sponsor of regional history. His commitment to the Association for History, Monument and Landscape Conservation e.V. demonstrates his deep roots and passion for Bad Ems.

The recognition as a UNESCO World Heritage is not only a highlight for Bad Ems, but also confirmation of the outstanding work of Dr. Sarholz and all those who work for the history and culture of this unique city.

For detailed information about Bad Ems and its history, the page [Bad Ems-Nassau] can be visited.