Museum mechanischer Musikinstrumente

About the museum

The Museum Mechanischer Musikinstrumente, or MMM for short, has been in its current presentation since 2005. It is run by the foundation "Museum Mechanischer Musikinstrumente Königslutter am Elm"; together with the Cathedral and Stonemasonry Museum, the building belongs to the museums of the town of Königslutter am Elm.

The collection, of international standing, comprises around 250 objects spanning 250 years, from the smallest music box, just 1.5 centimeters along its edge, to a fairground organ several meters tall. On display are music boxes, disc music boxes, electric pianos, orchestrions, automatons and barrel organs. Particularly notable are, for example, a music box table from Switzerland from 1880, a disc music box by the Regina Company from 1895, the orchestrion "Helios" by Hupfeld and the "Photoplayer" by Wurlitzer, with which silent films were accompanied.

Almost all pieces are in working order and are demonstrated during tours. Visitors also learn in which salons, inns and entertainment venues the instruments were used. On the basement level of the same building, the Cathedral and Stonemasonry Museum, opened in 2011, presents information about the construction of the Kaiserdom and the stonemason's craft.

Highlights

• Almost all instruments playable and audible during tours
• Music box table from 1880 and disc music box from 1895
• Orchestrion "Helios" and "Phonoliszt Violina" by Hupfeld
• "Photoplayer" silent-film orchestrion by Wurlitzer
• "Tino Rossi" one-man orchestra as an automaton
• Cathedral and Stonemasonry Museum in the same building

Permanent exhibitions

• Ständige Ausstellung mechanische Musikinstrumente – Around 250 instruments, from music boxes to fairground organs, almost all playable and demonstrated during tours.
• Dom- und Steinmetzmuseum – Construction history of the Kaiserdom from the perspective of stonemasonry, with workpieces, guild tradition and an active Masonic lodge.

Founded

2005

Operated by

Stiftung „Museum Mechanischer Musikinstrumente Königslutter am Elm“ (Museen der Stadt Königslutter am Elm)

Director

Britta Edelmann

Admission & discounts

Adults pay €4.50 admission plus €0.50 for the tour. School classes with a teacher enter free; the tour is mandatory and costs €2 per student.

Accessibility

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops

Occasionally there are short children's tours (most recently for children from age 3, with a family price); the museum is a partner of the Familienkultour portal.

Getting there & parking

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit