Oh, we live in politically stormy times! I only say this one name: Napoleon! Like a whirlwind he sweeps Europe from the bottom to the top. He destroyed the old German Empire, and so the dominion of Kniephausen became a completely independent state! Since Kniephausen is ruled by our Count Bentinck of Varel, some of this independence also fell on us here. And that paid off in cash! Because Napoleon set up the entire European continent as an economic exclusion zone for British goods. This was his only instrument of fighting England, as he had hardly had a fleet of his own since the Battle of Trafalgar. Bad for Napoleon, good for us, because the dominion of Kniephausen was initially considered neutral and was exempt from the requirements of the continental blockade. Of course, we, the Varel merchants, didn't miss such a good opportunity. Yes, we did excellent business! And even now that we are now officially part of the French Empire, business is going well, although not always in the way the French tollkeeper want to, but still good. Haha, as I said, the French no longer have their own fleet, which makes things a lot easier for us! For our business continuing as well, we needed a place where we could exchange ideas and of course conclude some deals. Therefore, this beautiful building was established here in 1812 as a stock exchange and a clubhouse for merchants and tradesmen. Well, times will certainly remain stormy. But, haha, at least we got a solid roof over our heads!

The beautiful two-storey building of the stock exchange constructed in a classicism style dates from 1812 and was initially a clubhouse and pub. But it also served another purpose. In the high-arched attic of the house there was the hall of a Masonic lodge called “Wilhelm of the silver crucifix”. The whole thing seems much less mysterious when you know that the eponymous “Wilhelm” was none other than Count Bentinck, who ruled in Varel and who presided over this lodge. That meant nothing but all members were well privileged people. At that time, such secret societies were considered very chic. Anyone who was self-respecting had to be a member of one. This was even true for people like George Washington and Frederick II. of Prussia.
After its original use ended, the building served as a rental house for a long time. In 1907, the city of Varel acquired the house in order to set up a part of the municipal administration there shortly afterwards. Apart from interruptions during the world wars, the stock exchange remained the seat of municipal institutions until it became the property of the Gertrud and Hellmut Barthel Foundation in 2020. The Barthel siblings came from a family of manufacturers from Chemnitz and, starting in 1948, built a paper and cardboard company in Varel that still exists today. The foundation uses its funds for many educational, environmental and cultural activities in Varel, Friesland and beyond. In addition, the house now functions as an “exchange of ideas” and thus as a place for communication and meeting.