The museum shows on two floors and about 500sqm more than 500 objects dealing with tobacco cultivation, but mainly with cigar production and smoking culture. The driving force behind the creation and design of the museum was the Heimat- und Kulturverein Lorsch HKV. Both the Tobacco Museum and the Tobacco Shed, which opened in 2017 as a museum of tobacco cultivation, are overseen by the active association. The city finances the museum and provides the property. With the decline of tobacco, many exhibits far beyond the region have been attracted to the museum, especially as it relates to farming implements and factory equipment.
In addition to the actual concern with tobacco, it becomes visible which other trades and suppliers were connected with it (keyword cultivation beds, hand carts, drying racks, tobacco cutters, wrapping tables, cigar forming presses, cigar boxes, belly bands, branding stamps, packaging machines etc.).
The museum always tries to give a vivid idea of the work in the field and in the factory at that time, in real-life scenarios and with the help of historical photographs. There are various aspects reflected: the physical effort, the social significance and social effects, the pride of the entrepreneurs and the workforce, the resourcefulness of technical improvements and finally the attitude towards life that the enjoyment of tobacco conveyed.
But it is also about the causes of the decline of tobacco culture and its political, economic and zeitgeist causes. Of course, appropriate attention is given to the topic of smoking and health.