The first plans to repurpose the manor lands were made in the middle of the 19th century, but were stalled by Otto von Camphausen and other community leaders.

The converted area began in the northeast (near today's Breitenbachplatz), running along Under den Eichen street up to the village of Zehlendorf.

The natural science faculty of Humboldt University were also assigned a new location in the area, somewhat relieving the crowded Berlin-Mitte campus.

Nearly 40 years later, after the end of World War II, the planned science center was finally built on the campus of the Free University of Berlin.

A citizens' initiative known as "Friends of the Dahlem Manor," first chaired by Martin Quilisch, was founded to support the conversion of the remaining land into an outdoor museum.

The museum first established itself by participating in citywide events such as harvest festivals and Christmas markets.

In 2015, the museum extended into another historical building and opened an exhibit named "From Farm to Plate."