Open – Design Week Frankfurt RheinMain

Luise-Büchner-Bibliothek (Literaturhaus)

Luise Büchner (1821-1877) is considered one of the pioneers of the women's movement of the 19th century. Founded in her hometown of Darmstadt in the early 1970s and named after her in 1998, the Luise Büchner Library is a specialized library for women's history and women's issues. Among other activities, it hosts regular library talks on current and historical topics.

Using Luise Büchner's story "The Little Vagabond," the library talk on June 11, 2026, at 18:00, will explore the beginnings of photography as both an art form and a profession. The Luise Büchner Library in the Darmstadt Literature House will be open from 15:00.

Luise Büchner's last story, "The Little Vagabond," was published in the summer of 1877. In it, the Darmstadt writer and women's rights activist depicts the beginnings of photography through the life story of a poor boy from Zwingenberg. After meeting a photographer from Darmstadt, he learns the technique of "light painting" in the photographer's studio and, like many others at that time, emigrates to America. Having become wealthy there through his craft, he returns to his hometown to marry his childhood sweetheart.

At the time this story was written, in the last third of the 19th century, photographic studios sprang up everywhere, providing employment for many women. In Luise Büchner's 1872 career guide for girls, the profession of photographer is described as a rewarding occupation for women.

The Luise Büchner Library was founded in Darmstadt in the early 1970s as a specialized library for women's history and women's issues. Since 1998, it has been located in the Darmstadt Literature House and bears the name of the famous women's rights activist and champion of women's rights to education and employment as the foundation for a self-determined life.

The volunteer-run library is regularly open on Thursdays from 16:00–18:00, except during school holidays.