Hof Busse (heute: Könneker)
Current Street Address: Im unteren Dorfe 23, formerly Breite Straße 57
The main house of the estate was built in 1887 by Conrad Heinrich Wilhelm Busse (born 22 February 1841, died 14 March 1905) and his wife Johanne Marie Justine Giesecke.
The Busse residence in Hohenhameln was constructed using what was then considered modern building methods. It is a two-storey half-timbered house with a square floor plan measuring 12 by 12 metres. It represents a typical example of rural architecture in the late 19th century. The structure comprises a timber framework with handmade bricks in the infill panels, providing both stability and thermal retention. The current house stands approximately on the same site as the former traditional Lower Saxon longhouse. The earlier building was slightly larger and positioned somewhat more to the south-west. In contrast to its predecessor, in which residential quarters, stables, and harvest storage were united under one roof, the present-day building no longer follows the so-called “Einhaus” or single-house concept.
The intermediate floors of the existing building consist of long wooden beams filled with a mixture of clay and straw to provide thermal insulation. This method, typical for the time, also ensures natural regulation of humidity. The cellar is constructed as a vaulted cellar, with sand-filled cavities for insulation. The roof is designed as a gabled structure covered with clay tiles.
From the outset, the building was intended solely for residential use, representing a development beyond the Lower Saxon hall house, in which living quarters and stabling were essentially combined. As such, the estate’s stables were constructed separately, which met the growing hygienic standards and demands for clearer separation between domestic and agricultural areas. The Busse residence features a clear functional layout and makes predominant use of local materials, highlighting both durability and practicality.
The heir to the farm, Karl Heinrich Wilhelm Busse – commonly known as Wilhelm Busse – also engaged in agriculture on the estate, specialising in horse breeding. He gained regional renown as a breeder and employed his draught horses, as well as oxen, in farming. His certified boar “Hans” served numerous sows in Hohenhameln and the surrounding area and, thanks to its strong genetic lineage, produced numerous successful litters.
However, Wilhelm Busse’s most notable success lay in the breeding of draught horses. The entire family supported this endeavour: Gisela Busse (now Gisela Könneker) took on the night watch duties during the foaling season. She was assisted by the local night watchman Burgdorf, who lived at the corner of “Schmiedegarten” and “Hinter den Höfen”. The younger sisters Käthe Busse (now Lindemann) and Helga Busse (now Köhler) also helped care for the horses as children. Helga developed an early passion and talent for equestrianism. She would regularly ride from Rötzum to Hohenhameln on Wednesdays and Saturdays for riding lessons.
Because the whole family was involved in the foals’ upbringing, it was always a moment of sadness when a colt was born. After all their efforts, a colt meant no future on the farm: no space in the stables, no place in the breeding programme. There was only the quiet knowledge: he would end up as meat.
With his young mares, however, Wilhelm Busse found success beyond the region. At local mare shows, such as those held at the Hofschwicheldt domain or in Peine, he regularly won first prizes.
Wilhelm Busse also took an active role in various associations. He served as the village fire chief (formerly known as the commander) of the Hohenhameln Volunteer Fire Brigade, was involved with the local mayors, and became the shooting king of the local marksmen’s association in 1937. He was born on 3 January 1910 and died on 22 May 1958 in Hildesheim as the result of a workplace accident, at only 48 years of age. His wife Hildegard Busse (née Meier) and daughter Gisela Busse (later Könneker) thus had to assume responsibility for the estate at an early stage.
Gisela Könneker (née Busse) and Karl Heinrich Willi Friedrich “Fritz” Könneker first converted the inherited barns into cattle stalls with slatted floors, which were modern at the time. Later, these cattle barns were converted into residential units.
To accommodate modern housing and allow sufficient clearance for vehicles, the impressive covered farm entrance had to be removed. This section was dismantled by Gisela and Fritz Könneker in 1991. Over time, the architectural layout of the farm changed considerably. In the 19th century, the estate’s manure heap had originally been located at the centre of the courtyard, near the residence. This location allowed easy access to the stables and convenient use of fertiliser in the fields. However, its proximity to the living quarters resulted in unpleasant odours and hygiene issues.
With growing awareness of hygiene and comfort – especially after new tenants moved in – Gisela and Fritz Könneker eventually relocated the manure heap to the edge of the property. This decision reflected improvements in farming practices and the functional separation of agricultural and residential areas.
Today, horses are once again kept on the property, reviving the estate’s longstanding traditions. With Judith Könneker (née Göhlich), Hanoverian horses from the official studbook returned to the grounds. A group of geldings now lives year-round in modern, species-appropriate open-stable accommodation with ample space and outdoor access. To realise Judith Könneker’s modern and animal-friendly concept of horse husbandry, the pastureland was extended by incorporating that of the neighbouring Strube (Jawitz) farm, which had ceased operations in the mid-20th century. Unfortunately, the large and striking barn acquired along with this land was in poor condition and had to be replaced with a modern shelter.
With Winterkönig IV, a distinguished Hanoverian gelding, the farm welcomed a descendant of “Wanderer v Wagner” from the State Stud of Celle. “The State Stud of Celle in Lower Saxony was established on 27 July 1735 by George II (Elector of Hanover and King of Great Britain) to provide local farmers with access to quality stallions at a low cost for breeding purposes.” In this way, the long-standing equine tradition of the Busse farm continues.
A modern amateur radio station is also situated on the property. Using shortwave antennas and operating under the call sign DL8OBF, worldwide radio communication is conducted. This “DX Farm” has become a competitive radio station, successfully participating in international contests.
The sculptural cycle on the farm gates depicts the evolution from the domestication of animals, through the mythological horse Pegasus, to global communication via electromagnetic waves – symbolising not only societal development but also the transformation of the Busse estate itself.