All the objects in the collection serve to illustrate the spirit of Goethe’s age: the numerous coins, medals and plaques embossed with the heads of statesmen, scholars and artists whom Goethe knew; the collection of glasses from the places Goethe frequented and the china decorated with views of Weimar; the many paintings of towns and landscapes, which show what those places looked like when Goethe visited them and formed his view of them; and finally the numerous portraits and busts of contemporaries with whom Goethe interchanged ideas. The most eloquent testimonies of this intellectual sphere are still, however, the variuos letters, manuscripts, sheet-music and books; and these represent the most valuable posessions of the Foundation.

The museum’s treasures, consisting of 50.000 items, cannot, of course, all be exhibited at the same time. This is in part due to a lack of space and also because the visitor would find it overwhelming. For these reasons the greater part of the collection is kept in storage and selected items are brought out for changing exhibitions which mark specific occasions. But an interested visitor may see particular objects in the reading room of the museum. Arranged chronologically in 11 rooms, about 1000 objects illustrate the museum’s main subject: Goethe’s life and work. First editions of the poet’s work are displayed in showcases, accompanied by drafts, letters and other items from the period when those works were written. Paintings of towns and landscapes show the places where Goethe worked and portraits of the poet and his friend complete the chronicle.