Stadtmuseum Dornbirn

About the museum

Efforts to establish a local museum in Dornbirn were already underway at the beginning of the 20th century, but for a long time they lacked sufficient support. The Stadtmuseum finally opened in 1997. It sees itself as a regional history museum with a focus on everyday culture, and collects everything connected with the town and its residents over the centuries – from documents on city history and everyday objects to works of Dornbirn and Vorarlberg art.

The museum is housed in the Lorenz-Rhomberg-Haus at Marktplatz 11, a patrician house built in 1796, which later belonged to the manufacturer Theodor Rhomberg and also houses the city archive. The permanent exhibition is divided into three thematic areas: the feudal period under changing lords of the manor, up to the municipality's buyout in 1771; city views, from paintings to a schnapps glass; and a "Spurensuche" (search for traces) along a timeline with selected finds. Changing exhibitions on regional, cultural-historical and contemporary themes complement it.

A special feature is the textile pattern archive. It goes back to the pattern collection of the Dornbirn company F. M. Rhomberg, which the museum took over after the firm's bankruptcy in 1993, and comprises around 300,000 printed fabric samples as well as pattern books, designs and repeat drawings from Vorarlberg, Germany, France and England. The collection depot is at Marktstraße 12a. The museum is currently working on a content redesign under the theme "Erbe & Erben" (heritage and heirs), which deals with property, wealth and inheritance in the region.

Highlights

• Permanent exhibition on Dornbirn city history in a patrician house from 1796
• Textile pattern archive with around 300,000 printed fabric samples
• Regional art collection from Dornbirn and Vorarlberg
• Free admission on the first Sunday of every month
• Public guided tours on the third Sunday of the month

Permanent exhibition

• Dauerausstellung Stadtgeschichte – The permanent exhibition leads through the history of Dornbirn with the areas feudal period, city views and "Spurensuche", and shows selected objects and artworks.

Founded

1997

Operated by

Stadt Dornbirn

Admission & discounts

Free admission: Every first Sunday of the month

Free admission also with the Kulturpass "Hunger auf Kunst & Kultur" and for the guide and guest in the "TiM – Tandem im Museum" program.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: not available
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials
• Audio description: no information

According to the museum, the listed building is not yet fully accessible; individual solutions are sought when needed. Guided tours and programs are available on request in easy language. Assistance animals are allowed; other animals are not.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops

There are education programs for kindergartens (e.g., a workshop on life without electricity in earlier times, "früher", and a dialogue workshop for 4- to 6-year-olds) and for school classes. Children and young people up to age 19 enter free; there is also the family pass rate.

Getting there & parking

The museum is located directly on Marktplatz 11.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

Museum shop with exhibition catalogs and publications on Dornbirn city history; orders are also possible by email or phone.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit