Heimatmuseum Hergensweiler

About the museum

The house opposite the parish church of St. Ambrosius has a long history: in the 14th century it served as a salt trading post where salt from Bavaria and Tyrol was stored temporarily on its way to Switzerland. Around 1600 it was converted into a rectory and two stories were added; until 1935 the village's priests lived here. The present two-story gabled building with a cross gable dates essentially from the early 18th century and is a listed monument.

In 1981 the municipality of Hergensweiler bought the building. After the conversion, the local history museum opened in it on October 14, 1989. The holdings go back to collecting activity that began as early as around 1930, and are regarded as a collection of regional folk art of significance beyond the village.

The museum is run by the Heimatverein Hergensweiler (local heritage association), which emerged in 2013 from the merger of the museum association and the costume group "D'Laiblachtaler" and took its present name in 2023. On the first floor are a schnapps distillery, a Gothic vault, and a room for changing presentations. The second floor shows the Baroque office of the parish priests, which today also serves as a wedding room, along with rooms on village history and traditional costumes, a Biedermeier parlor, and glimpses into the everyday life of earlier times. The third floor is devoted to popular piety between faith and superstition – with about 6,000 devotional pictures, about 1,000 religious medals, and 400 rosaries.

Highlights

• About 6,000 devotional pictures, 1,000 religious medals, and 400 rosaries
• Baroque office of the former parish priests
• Gothic vaulted room and historic schnapps distillery
• Traditional costumes of the Swabian Western Allgäu
• Listed building with a history as a salt trading post and rectory

Permanent exhibitions

• Volksfrömmigkeit zwischen Glaube und Aberglaube – The third floor shows religious everyday culture: thousands of devotional pictures, medals, and rosaries tell of piety and folk belief in rural areas.
• Dorfgeschichte, Trachten und Wohnen – On the second floor, the Baroque office, a costume room, a Biedermeier parlor, and rooms on earlier everyday life offer insight into village life of past centuries.

Founded

1989

Operated by

Heimatverein Hergensweiler e. V.

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Free admission.

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: no information
• Audio description: no information

The museum is not accessible; seating is available, assistance dogs welcome.

Kids & families

• Family tours & workshops

The association's "Museumskids" meet regularly in or at the museum to try out old customs and craft techniques, such as shaking butter or dipping candles.

Getting there & parking

The museum is in the village center opposite the parish church of St. Ambrosius.

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.

Events & venue rental

• Weddings / ceremonies

The Baroque office on the second floor is used for civil wedding ceremonies.

Plan your visit