European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - August 12, 1993, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Germany is the House that built writer Johann Wolfgang von Goethe presence of Germany s greatest writer still Felt in Weimar by Ron Jensen Nurnberg Bureau a remarkable collection of minds gathered in Weimar Germany in the late 18th Century. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. Friedrich von Schiller. Christoph Martin Wieland. Johann Gottfried von Herder. They could All have had Coffee together. Probably  a comparison think Back to Philadelphia in 1776, when men such As Benjamin Franklin John Hancock Thomas Jefferson and the Adams boys were All together. In one  comparison How about the 1927 new York Yankees which could Send babe Ruth Lou Gehrig and Tony Lazzeri to the plate. But Weimar s murderers Row hit Home runs in philosophy literature and , Germany s most famous Man of letters was a dramatist novelist writer of scientific theses an philosopher who lived in Weimar for nearly 60 years until his death in 1832. Schiller a poet dramatist and historian penned his Best known work William Tell in 1804 while living in , probably not so familiar to americans was an important contributor to the intellectual and literary life of the late 18th Century. Herder added significant insight to the religious thinking of his time and was the minister of a Church in Weimar in the final years of his life. Evidence of their footsteps in this town in the German state of Thi Ringen still exists particularly of Goethe and Schiller who trod most heavily across the landscape. Of the two Goethe s presence is most  can have Coffee at the Goethe cafe or a Beer in a pub named Zum goeth Brunnen. If this sounds like exploitation of a famous son consider Mark Twain Fried Chicken in Hannibal mo., and will Rogers dry cleaners in Tulsa okla germans grow up Reading Goethe like americans grow up Reading Twain. And although we americans May be ignorant of his work we should at least probe briefly into his life and wonderful intellect. Weimar offers that Opportunity. The Best place to Start is the House in which Goethe lived off and on from 1782 until his death in 1832. The yellow House sweeps across one Side of the Frauen plan and was built a sign above the door exclaims As an ornament to the town in 1709. In that sense it could have found no better occupant than its most famous a Man recalled As a poet dramatist novelist and scientist. He saw the House As a place to propagate Art an science if  into this House with creaking floorboards Goethe brought an Ever growing collection of More than 50,000 items including 18,000 Mineral samples 5,000 items of various scientific Fields from Anatomy to zoology anymore than 26,000 Art objects including prints drawings sculpture pottery porcelain medals and coins. Much of that is still Here including 6,500 volumes from Goethe s personal Library still arranged by his own system. Visiting the Home of any famous Long dead person is More effective if the personal items Are still Here. This House provides them in Spades. Not Only is much of Goethe s Eclectic collection on display but his More personal belongings Are shown As Well. Drinking cups favored by Goethe Are in the Small dining room. Several articles of his clothing Are in the parlor. During the years when Goethe was not in the House he was on a journey to Italy. His Luggage is on display. Along with its contents. What does a literary legend take on a Holiday a Small Brush Small scissors manuscripts and several first editions. Near a window is his writing table at which he would stand and create. The Stone House is built around a Small thin courtyard. Out Back is a Garden so Well kept one expects to bump into Goethe himself sitting quietly on a Bench lost in thought among the Flowers and Bushes. If he is not at Home Here try his other Weimar Home. Goethe s Gartenhaus is found in the Park on the urn the nver that slides passively through Weimar. Co Eide retreated often to this House sheltered by Trees to