Amerikahaus

The Amerika Haus on Hardenbergstrasse in Berlin's Charlottenburg district was an important cultural and information center of the United States from 1957 to 2006. Built to designs by the architect Bruno Grimmek, it served to promote intercultural exchange, housed a public library, and offered information on scholarships and pathways to the U.S. The building's history is closely tied to contemporary political events. While the early years were marked by a friendly atmosphere, from the late 1960s on the building became a target of protest movements. Militant demonstrations against the Vietnam War and the Kent State massacre led to attacks and a heavy militarization of the surrounding area, which lasted until the start of the Iraq War. After it was handed over to the City of Berlin in 2006, the building was initially used by various initiatives for cultural revitalization, including exhibitions by the Federal Agency for Civic Education. Today, the building is leased long-term to the nonprofit C/O Berlin Foundation and continues to be used by the Berlin State Agency for Civic Education as a strategically important state building.