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Ancient cradle with royal heritage: Orillian discovers German roots!
An Orillian discovers an ancient cradle with royal origins from Germany that once belonged to Prince Karl Leiningen.
Ancient cradle with royal heritage: Orillian discovers German roots!
Scott Ackerman, 75 years old and living in Orillia, has discovered a fascinating connection to German aristocratic history. Decades ago he acquired an antique wooden cradle, which now turns out to be part of royal history. The purchase of the cradle came when his parents sold their farm in Prince Edward County. Ackerman subsequently repaired the cradle, which was initially in poor condition, and used it for his two children. This cradle was also later used by his son before it was returned to Ackerman.
The discovery of the cradle led Ackerman to intensive research into its origins. In particular, he found books by his father that contained two novels by Prince Hubertus zu Löwenstein-Wertheim-Freudenberg from 1946 and 1947. These books had dedications to a woman named Maria, which intrigued Ackerman. He also discovered two undated photos of an unknown baby in the cradle, which added to the mystery surrounding the cradle.
Connection to Hubertus and the Leiningen family
A striking detail in one of the books was the word “Leiningen,” which Ackerman recognized immediately. He searched for more information via Facebook and contacted people with the last name Leiningen, but initially received no answers. Finally, in July, he received a message from a woman who recognized the name Maria Leiningen. Her husband, Hermann Leiningen, is the son of Prince Karl Leiningen, who was part of one of Germany's richest families in the 1960s, worth an estimated $1.5 billion.
What is explosive is that Ackerman's family used to be friends with the Leiningen family, and he even knew Prince Karl Leiningen as a neighbor in Oakville. Hermann Leiningen's mother, 94-year-old Maria, lives in New Jersey and received pictures of the books, the artwork and the cradle from Ackerman. The Leiningen family then confirmed their connection to the items. It is certain that the cradle actually comes from the Leiningen family and is therefore connected to the German nobility.
Historical context and legacy
Ackerman even speculates that his father may have had the cradle refinished for Prince Karl, who did not retrieve it. Prince Karl moved to Israel after his divorce and was approximately 100th in line to the British royal throne. Now Ackerman intends to return the cradle to the Leiningen family as an inheritance and plans to do so at no cost to them as he sees it as a significant heirloom.
Prince Hubertus zu Löwenstein-Wertheim-Freudenberg, born on October 14, 1906, was a German historian and politician who was active in the anti-Nazi resistance. He was a major author and member of Parliament who played a role in the return of the island of Heligoland to West Germany after World War II. His role in German history provides a fascinating background to the cradle that Ackerman has now discovered at the center.
The Leiningen family history is documented by the Princely Leiningen Archive in Amorbach, which houses one of the largest collections of aristocratic documents in Bavaria. This archive, which includes documents since 1035, reflects the long tradition and influence of the Leiningen family.
Linking Ackerman's personal story to this important aristocratic history shows how ancient objects can still tell stories that go far beyond their physical existence.