Züllchower Anstalten

The Züllchower Anstalten or Institutes at Züllchow were located north of what was Stettin, Germany, from 1831 until 1945. They began as a single organization, the Rescue Home (Rettungshaus) and added a Deacon House (Bruderhaus) in 1850. From that year until 1858, the institutes were lead by Wilhelm Quistorp.

“Of special importance for the Züllchower Anstalten (Institutes at Züllchow) was the year 1858. A man of the people, Gustav Jahn, born 23 February 1818 in Sandersleben, Anhalt, was named head of the Züllchower Anstalten. Gustav Jahn, 40 years of age at that time, had an unusual life history. He was a farmer and a tannery master; he became mayor of his home town, made a name for himself as Christian writer for the people and a poet of high songs. From the beginning it was the goal of Jahn to find new sources of income for the institution. Our large animal husbandry industry, the fields, the artwork and gardens, the Christmas industry with the Evangelical nativity scene figures and the old German family games - all owe him their beginnings. Gustav Jahn was a pious and industrious man, but he also had a lot of understanding for the words of [Martin] Luther: "Happiness and amusement are just as important for people as eating and drinking." A fresh and happy wind was felt in the institution that expanded greatly as a consequence of the education reformation law of 1878. After 30 years of a richly blessed life's work, Gustav Jahn died on March 29, 1888. He remains to this day known as the renovator of our institution.”1

1 Fritz Jahn, “Aus dem Heimatkalendar für Pommern,” 1931.