The Idar-Oberstein town archive contains the oldest and most important sources on the history of the towns of Idar and Oberstein, as well as the villages that were later incorporated, in fonds 2a "Historical records". The documents from the years 1538 to 1945 extend over 23 linear meters of shelving and document the eventful history of rule and administration over the past centuries. While the early modern sources are characterized less by their content than by their age and uniqueness, the documents from the time of the world wars, the occupation and National Socialism are of particular value to the public.
In order to protect and permanently preserve these valuable primary sources in the best possible way, 120 archive boxes and 875 archive folders were purchased last year with the help of funding from the state of Rhineland-Palatinate. After dry cleaning the individual archive items, they were transferred to the new, age-resistant packaging. Horizontal storage in archive folders and boxes protects the documents from light, dust, pests and mechanical damage and thus makes a decisive contribution to ensuring that these unique testimonies to our past are preserved for a long time to come.