Starting on August 4, 2025, the Albert Schweitzer House in Gunsbach invites you to discover an exhibition dedicated to the men and women who worked alongside Albert Schweitzer, both in Lambaréné and in Europe. This exhibition sheds new light on the women and men who worked, often behind the scenes, alongside Dr. Albert Schweitzer.
A collective work
Although Albert Schweitzer’s name remains universally associated with the hospital in Lambaréné, his work would not have been possible without the commitment of numerous European and Gabonese colleagues who supported his medical, humanitarian, and cultural efforts from 1924 onwards.
Doctors, nurses, secretaries, assistants, logisticians, and cultural coordinators: they cared for patients, built, organized, administered, communicated, and sometimes even took over in his absence. This exhibition pays tribute to these men and women who worked behind the scenes.
Inspiring stories
Among the figures highlighted, you will discover:
🩺 Rösli Näf: A Swiss nurse, she worked in Lambaréné before running a colony for refugee children at Château de La Hille during World War II. Her courage saved dozens of Jewish children from deportation.
🩺 Emma Ott: Rösli Näf’s mission companion, she was also active in French internment camps, where she worked to ensure the survival and dignity of refugee children. In La Hille, she continued her work protecting and rescuing Jewish children.
🧾 Mathilde Kottmann: A discreet but essential figure, she ran the hospital in Schweitzer’s absence. With her keen sense of organization, she also served as secretary and accountant, embodying rigor and loyalty in her service to the sick.
🧾 Ali Silver: A Dutch nurse, she worked for twenty years in Lambaréné, where she managed the accounts, correspondence, and hygiene. In 1967, she founded the Albert Schweitzer Museum in Gunsbach and devoted her life to preserving his archives.
🧾 Emma Haussknecht: A teacher by training, she helped rebuild the hospital in 1924 and managed it alongside Mathilde Kottmann. She led a study trip through Gabon and assembled a valuable collection of objects now on display in the museum.
🩺 Emmy Martin: A trained singer, she accompanied Schweitzer on his tours before running the Albert Schweitzer House in Gunsbach and managing orders for Lambaréné.
🩺 Lillian Russell: Nicknamed “Aunt Canada,” she supervised the clearing of the land and planted crops around the hospital. She also made the first film about Lambaréné.
The exhibition also invites visitors to discover other collaborators whose diverse backgrounds and commitments greatly contributed to the success of Albert Schweitzer’s work. Their stories are revealed through the photographs on display, offering a comprehensive and human perspective on this collective adventure.
A vibrant tribute
The exhibition presents photographs that trace the lives of these committed individuals. It also highlights the continuity of their commitment: several of them continued their humanitarian work after their stay in Lambaréné, still inspired by Schweitzer’s spirit.
Practical information:
Albert Schweitzer House in Gunsbach
Exhibition open from August 4 to September 30, 2025
During museum opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.