Opened in 1955 on the site where Germany’s first Chancellor Konrad Adenauer attended school, the Amerika Haus Cologne has served as a “window to America” for half a century, adjusting its program activities with the changing demands of the times. Among the distinguished guests were dramatist Thornton Wilder, dance pioneer Martha Graham, jazz legend Lionel Hampton, soprano Jessye Norman, writers Toni Morrison, Joseph Brodsky, Alex Haley and pop artist Roy Lichtenstein.
A brochure on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the Amerika Haus in June 2005 offers a detailed review its history and program activities. Amerika Haus Köln, 1955-2005 (pdf 3.06MB)
Up until September 2007, the Public Affairs Section of the U.S. Consulate was located in the Amerika Haus in Cologne. This section has been integrated into the Consulate in Duesseldorf and continues its work from there.
A legacy institution, the “Amerika Haus NRW e.V.” , will continue the transatlantic dialogue in Cologne.