8 the university oscillates between their present and future relevance as objects of inquiry, their worth as historical artefacts, or even as antiquarian treasures. Increasingly, they are being discovered as influential agents of scientific communication. During the past decades, some universities have therefore concluded that objects in academic collections require special protection, care, and scientific processing. The Office for Academic Heritage, Scientific and Art Collections at TUD – Past and Present The Office for Academic Heritage, Scientific an Art Collections at TUD is one of the oldest institutions of its kind in Germany. In the context of the University’s 150th anniversary celebrations in 1978, numerous objects once again became a focus of attention, primarily as physical witnesses to the University’s history. As an immediate consequence, a central Office for Academic Heritage at TUD was established just a year later. Already at that point, a first stocktaking in a newly founded inventory began, containing, in particular, historically significant objects for teaching purposes. This stocktaking continued over the years and was always adapted to the scientific standards of the day. The first “Regulations regarding the Museum Fund”, which stipulate how to handle the assorted collections within the University, were issued in 1987. During the University’s restructuring following reunification, the collections enjoyed a sharp increase in interest, particularly as regards their unique historical artefacts. In this context, the Office for Academic Heritage was initially affiliated with the Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Social Science. In 2004, due to its growing significance, it was upgraded to a central unit reporting directly to the University Chancellor. At the same time, the ALTANAGallery in the Görges Building was integrated into the Office for Academic Heritage, followed a little later by the Art Collection, which until 2007 had been administered by an Artistic Advisory Board at the Faculty of Architecture. View into the permanent exhibition of the OAH 2019
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