After the poet's death, her heirs remained in possession of the house. They treated the Prince's Little House with respect and took care of it, which is why much from the poet's life and work has been preserved. The site is still dedicated to Annette von Droste-Hülshoff.
The floor plan of both stories.
The layout of the rooms as Annette von Droste-Hülshoff described them, however, can still be identified: The state room on the ground floor, the second-floor bedroom, work room and chamber maid's corner are all still preserved.
A square piano, a family heirloom.
A tile stove heats the state room on the ground floor. The desk, the square piano and the Biedermeier furniture stand out and are all part of the family's estate. Pictures show a young Annette, the poet in her later years, as well as her family and friends. Precious everyday items, coins, auction announcements, minerals, shells and manuscript copies are remembrances of her passion for collecting and her works.
Valuable family heirlooms: a snail necklace, along with a harmonica, a wick trimmer, a table bell and a pocket watch.
Fantastical and precious porcelain piece.
Two cases in the alcove are full of collected treasures. Annette von Droste-Hülshoff loved amassing small treasures and precious items: coins, kerchiefs, porcelain, embroidered pouches, small boxes, necklaces, rings, crucifixes, rosaries, minerals and shells. She also displayed pictures of those who were important to her. In the hall, she displayed scenes of places that characterized her life, e.g. old scenes from her family's properties near Münster: Rüschhaus estate and Hülshoff castle.
On the upper floor, the "swallow's nest," are hung old manuscript copies, miniature portraits and silhouettes of people who were important to her. These are accompanied by photographs of her nieces, Hildegund and Hildegard von Laßberg, illustrations to Droste's poems, pen and ink drawings, and pictures of other family and friends. Textiles and valuable books are on display in the glass cabinet.
Jewelry belonging to the Droste-Hülshoff-Bothmer family is on display in the Prince's Little House.
