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Hanau in Main-Kinzig-Kreis, Hesse, Germany — Central Europe
 

Wohnhaus der Tante Schlemmer
⎯⎯⎯
Residence of Auntie Schlemmer

 
 
Wohnhaus der Tante Schlemmer / Residence of Auntie Schlemmer Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, May 26, 2024
1. Wohnhaus der Tante Schlemmer / Residence of Auntie Schlemmer Marker
Inscription.  
An dieser Stelle stand das Wohnhaus von Juliane Charlotte Friederike Schlemmer (1735-1796), besser bekannt als „Tante Schlemmer" der Brüder Grimm.

Bei der ältesten - kinderlosen - Schwester des Vaters lernten Jacob und Wilhelm Grimm als Vier- und Fünf- jährige Lesen und Schreiben.

Wilhelm Grimm erinnert sich in seinen Memoiren: „Die Tante war eine verständige, wohlmeinende, aber ernste Frau, die uns den ersten Unterricht gab und einen großen Einfluss ausübte, da ihre Autorität unbedingt galt.“

Und Jacob Grimm schreibt: „Ich saß oben auf dem Fenstertritt am Tisch und weiß noch, wie das ABC angefangen wurde. Die Tante hatte sich von einem alten Vogte (Fächer) einen elfenbeinernen Deuter gemacht, der nach der letzten Lektion zum Zeichen ins Buch gelegt wurde. Meistenteils aber nahm sie eine Stecknadel, um feiner zu deuten zur Hülfe, woher es kam, daß alle Buchstaben mehr oder weniger zuletzt zerstochen wurden. Einige Buchstaben lernte ich eher und leichter, wie m, andere schwerer, z.B. den Unterschied zwischen q und p. Die großen Buchstaben waren verwickelter und schwerer.“



(English
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translation:)

This was the home of Juliane Charlotte Friederike Schlemmer (1735-1796), better known as "Auntie Schlemmer" to the Brothers Grimm.

Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm learned to read and write at the age of four and five from their father's eldest - childless - sister.

Wilhelm Grimm recalls in his memoirs: “Our aunt was an intelligent, well-meaning, but serious woman who gave us our first lessons and exerted a great influence, since her authority was unconditional.”

And Jacob Grimm wrote: "I was sitting up on the window ledge at the table and still remember how the ABC was started. My aunt had made an ivory pointer from an old fan, which was put in the book after the last lesson to show where we had left off. Most of the time, however, she used a pin to help her point more precisely, which is why all the letters were more or less pricked up a bit. Some letters I learned earlier and more easily, like m, others were harder, e.g. the difference between q and p. The capital letters were more complicated and harder."
 
Erected 2012 by Brüder-Grimm-Stiftungsfonds der Bürgerstiftung Hanau Stadt und Land.
 
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, MusicWomen. A significant historical date for this entry is August 3, 1735.
 
Location. 50° 8.05′ N, 8° 
Wohnhaus der Tante Schlemmer / Residence of Auntie Schlemmer Marker - wide view image. Click for full size.
Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, May 26, 2024
2. Wohnhaus der Tante Schlemmer / Residence of Auntie Schlemmer Marker - wide view
The marker is visible here on the left, by the motorcycle.
55.071′ E. Marker is in Hanau, Hessen (Hesse), in Main-Kinzig-Kreis. It is on Fahrstraße, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: Fahrstraße 11, Hanau HE 63450, Germany. Touch for directions.

Regionally, it is in Europe, the European Union, Atlantic Europe, Central Europe, the Schengen Area, Western Europe, and the Western World. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Roman Empire and specifically also the Holy Roman Empire.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: „Lauschet den Gassen“ / “Listen to the Streets” (within shouting distance of this marker); Wohnhaus von Georg Cornicelius / Residence of Georg Cornicelius (within shouting distance of this marker); Geburtshaus von Ludwig Emil Grimm / Birthplace of Ludwig Emil Grimm (within shouting distance of this marker); Schießscharte der Altstadtbefestigung / Old town fortress embrasure (within shouting distance of this marker); Fundament der Bastion / Foundation of the Bastion (within shouting distance of this marker); Vogelschau auf Hanau / Bird’s-eye view of Hanau (within shouting distance of this marker); Geburtshaus der Brüder Grimm / Birthplace of the Brothers Grimm (within shouting distance of this marker); Wohnhaus von Friedrich Rückert / Residence of Friedrich Rückert (about 90 meters away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Hanau.
 
Also see . . .  Juliane Charlotte Friederike Grimm (Wikipedia, in German).
Excerpt (in translation): Juliane Charlotte Friederike Grimm, married name Schlemmer, (* 3 August 1735 in Hanau; † 18 December 1796 in
Marker photo: Haus Schlemmer (Fahrstrasse 11) image. Click for full size.
courtesy of Mediazentrum Hanau, 1939
3. Marker photo: Haus Schlemmer (Fahrstrasse 11)
No longer extant. Although the marker is silent on the matter, it is likely that like most of central Hanau, it was destroyed during the bombing of March 1945.
Steinau an der Straße) was an educator, private tutor and important emotional reference person as well as temporary financial supporter of Jacob (1785–1863) and Wilhelm Grimm (1786–1859).

Widowed and childless herself, she had a significant influence on the upbringing and development of Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm. She lived in the immediate vicinity of the Grimm family in Fahrgasse in Hanauer Neustadt. Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm spent time with her every day during their childhood. The Brothers Grimm were very attached to their aunt, whom they affectionately called "Auntie Schlemmer". Jacob Grimm later reported that during this time he was more attached to his aunt than to his father and mother.
(Submitted on June 19, 2024.) 
 
Marker detail: contemporaneous silhouette of Juliane Charlotte Friederike Schlemmer image. Click for full size.
4. Marker detail: contemporaneous silhouette of Juliane Charlotte Friederike Schlemmer
 
 
Credits. This page was last revised on June 19, 2024. It was originally submitted on June 19, 2024, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 210 times since then and 12 times this year. Photos:   1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on June 19, 2024, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.
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Jun. 8, 2026