Our history
From traditional costume factory to foundation
In the 1930s, Michael Unholzer, his wife Anna, and her sister Babette Rup founded the Michael Unholzer traditional costume factory. Initially, they made hand-sewn traditional trouser braces in their apartment in the Moosach district of Munich. In 1936, Unholzer purchased a plot of land on Feldmochinger Straße and built a production facility where traditional jackets, coats, and trousers were soon being made; during the Nazi era, the factory produced military clothing.
After the war, the factory experienced an upswing: thanks to strong demand during the years of the “economic miracle” in the early Federal Republic, it was possible to invest in modern machinery and new, lovingly designed buildings.
After Michael Unholzer’s death in 1959, his wife Anna continued to run the company. Later, Peter Schamberger, husband of his stepdaughter Eleonora (Lore), took over the management. Times became more difficult for the manufactured products. Production continued until 1991, when the company was finally dissolved. With the assets—in particular the factory properties—Lore Schamberger founded the Eleonora Schamberger Foundation in 2016.
The former factory site became a place of science. Ludwig Maximilian University used the premises for its Institute for Roman Provincial Archaeology. After it moved to Maxvorstadt, creative types took over the factory buildings, including artists, photographers, and filmmakers. In 2020, a school developer acquired the site under a hereditary building right to operate a private elementary school there—a use entirely in line with Lore Schamberger’s vision. Her involvement with archaeology and her social interests continue to shape the foundation’s profile to this day.
Funding areas
The Eleonora-Schamberger-Foundation has a clear focus on two major areas of support defined in the German Tax Code: science and research, and social issues. We exclusively support institutions.
The foundation pursues exclusively and directly charitable and benevolent purposes.
Scientific projects
In the field of science, we support projects in the areas of archaeology, particularly prehistory and early history, as well as classical and provincial Roman archaeology. Our aim is to make historical findings useful for contemporary discourse. We place great importance on high scientific quality, topics of social relevance, and access to a wider public.
Social projects
In the social sphere, we support projects in the areas of education, training, and assistance for children, young people, and the elderly. We are particularly committed to supporting minorities whose concerns are rarely heard in society.
The foundation
Board of directors
Dr. Regine Kiefer
Chairwoman of the Board of Directors
Dr. Reinhard Lutz
Deputy Chairman
Board of trustees
Sebastian Eder
Chairman of the Board of Trustees
Dr. Renate Eikelmann
Ekkehard Quintel