Bergisches Drehorgelmuseum
Private museum of mechanical musical instruments in the former village church of Marienheide-Kempershöhe – visits only with a guided tour by registration.
About the museum
The Bergisches Drehorgelmuseum (Bergisch barrel organ museum) was founded in spring 2008 by Doris van Rhee and Dr. Ullrich Wimmer. The two acquired the former village church in the Kempershöhe district of Marienheide for this purpose and fitted it out for their collection. The museum is run and financed exclusively privately and operates on a non-profit basis.
The collection comprises self-playing musical instruments from the 18th to the 20th century: glockenspiels, cylinder and disc music boxes, musical clocks, mechanical pianos, orchestrions, automata and above all barrel organs, from the small bird organ to the large concert organ. During the tours the instruments are not only shown but also played and explained with anecdotes; murder ballads (Moritaten) and kitchen songs can be sung along to the hurdy-gurdy accompaniment. A glockenspiel on the building sounds several times a day with changing melodies.
The museum is a member of the Museumsverband NRW and the Naturarena Bergisches Land, and belongs to the network Bergische Museen and the Deutsche Orgelstraße. In 2025 the Landschaftsverband Rheinland honored the museum with the Rheinlandtaler for its cultural contributions.
Highlights
- Barrel organs from the 18th to 20th century, from the bird organ to the concert organ
- Music boxes, musical clocks, orchestrions and mechanical pianos
- Instruments are played during the tour
- Singing along to murder ballads (Moritaten) and kitchen songs
- Museum in a former village church with a glockenspiel
Permanent exhibitions
- Die heitere Welt der mechanischen Musik – Collection of self-playing musical instruments from music boxes and musical clocks to orchestrions and large barrel organs, which are demonstrated during the tour.
- Founded
- 2008
- Operated by
- Doris van Rhee und Dr. Ullrich Wimmer (privat)
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €10.50 |
|---|---|
| Children & teens | €6.50Children and teenagers, including guided tour. |
Admission each time includes a guided tour.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible: no information
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom: no information
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome: no information
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
On request, special tours for visually impaired people and for people with dementia.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
- Family tours & workshops
The tours are designed to span generations; there are separate tours for kindergarten and elementary school children as well as for teenagers.
Getting there & parking
The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.
Amenities & dining
Coffee, a Bergische Kaffeetafel (traditional Bergisch coffee table) or meals in restaurants and cafés in the area can be arranged.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes · approx. 75 min |
|---|---|
| Good to know | Visits only with a guided tour after registration by telephone (02264 2013181 or 0176 43038047). Groups can generally come at any time by arrangement; individual visitors join groups or arrange their own appointment. Thematic focuses (music, cultural, social or technological history, murder ballads (Moritaten) and kitchen songs) are possible on request. |
