Even though millions of Americans think chimney sweeps are still walking around the streets of London doing horrible Cockney accents like in Mary Poppins, believe it or not, this is not actually happening. Aaaannndd London does not have a Chimney Sweep Museum. But Vienna does. The Wiener Rauchfangkehrer Museum. Open for fifteen years, the museum tells the history of chimney sweeping in the city. There are exhibits showing old equipment, chimneys (but of course), ovens, figurines, various historical documents as well as New Year postcards and good luck charms. You are probably wondering what the New Year has to do with chimneys. Well, sweeps are considered to be bringers of good luck. In the good ol’ days a visit by the chimney sweep meant that the house was safe and a warm meal could be cooked on the oven. Then the entire family was happy, which was important, especially on New Year’s Day. Today there are 150 chimney sweeps in Vienna. Former sweep Günther Nowak, who looks to be missing some teeth (but I’m sure will sing “Chim Chim Cher-ee” in German if you ask nicely), shows visitors around the museum, including little children who apparently have to dress as mini-sweeps. “Though I spends me time, In the ashes and smoke, In this ‘ole wide world, There’s no ‘appier bloke…” (groan)
The Wiener Rauchfangkehrer Museum
