The Foundation is located in the former prison and court complex at Lindenstrasse 54/55 in Potsdam city centre. In the National Socialist era, from 1933 to 1945, the building served as a prison for victims of political and racial persecution, and from 1934 onwards it was also the seat of the Hereditary Health Court. Between 1945 and 1952 it was a Soviet secret police prison, and from 1952 to 1989 a remand prison for the Potsdam district run by the East German state security service (Stasi). In 1990, socially and politically active citizens, civic initiatives and new political parties moved into the complex. What was once a prison became a house of democracy. Like no other building in Potsdam, Lindenstrasse 54/55 symbolises the end of political persecution and democratic renewal.

This historic location has been a memorial site since 1995. In 2015, the memorial site was granted foundation status by Potsdam City Council. The Foundation is jointly financed by the State Capital Potsdam and the Federal State of Brandenburg. It commenced operations in June 2016.

In accordance with its statutes, the Foundation’s primary objective is “to conduct research into and to document the history of the National Socialist dictatorship, the Soviet occupation and the East German communist dictatorship and their victims; to draw attention to and show respect for those who worked for liberty, human rights and the fall of the East German communist dictatorship; and to keep alive the memory of the human suffering of the persecuted.”

A permanent exhibition at the historic location presents the chequered history of the building at Lindenstrasse 54/55. This is supplemented by special exhibitions and events. The Foundation also offers guided tours, discussions with eyewitnesses, seminars, further education activities and project days.

The official bodies of the Lindenstrasse Memorial Foundation are the Board of Trustees and the Chair of the Foundation. The Foundation also has an Advisory Committee that assists the official bodies with all thematic aspects of the work of the memorial site.