Draaiorgel Museum Helmond
Museum of barrel organs and dance organs in Loods20 next to Helmond station, with a reconstructed Bocken dance hall and concerts.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Helmond barrel organ collection goes back to the Bocken dance hall, where lavishly decorated dance organs once got visitors dancing. The municipality bought the organs in 1972 so that they would stay in Helmond and had them installed in the former Paterskerk in 1975; the Stichting Het Helmondse Draaiorgel had been founded for this purpose in 1966. Later the growing collection moved into the former fire station, which was named the Gaviolizaal after Anselmo Gavioli, the inventor of the organ book.
The museum’s future was uncertain several times; to preserve the organs for the city, today’s Stichting Draaiorgels Helmond was created in 2013. At the end of 2019 the Gaviolizaal was closed, and in 2021 it was demolished. The instruments moved to Loods20 on the Binnen Parallelweg, the former Van Gend & Loos building directly next to Helmond station, where the Bocken dance hall was rebuilt and the museum reopened in September 2021.
The collection includes dance organs from the 1920s such as the large and small Gaudin and the Mortier with their carvings, the street organ “De Blauwe Trom” by Königsberger, the fairground organ Ruth, the hand organ “Onze Klenne” and a small Verbeeck hand-cranked organ. In addition there are music boxes going back to 1680 and an accordion collection. The museum shares Loods20 with the EDAH Museum. Volunteers demonstrate the organs, and concerts and dance afternoons are held regularly.
Highlights
- Large and small Gaudin dance organs in the reconstructed Bocken dance hall
- Mortier dance organ with elaborate wood carvings
- Street organ “De Blauwe Trom” and fairground organ “Ruth”
- Music boxes dating back to 1680 and an accordion collection
- Concerts and dance afternoons
Permanent exhibition
- Drehorgelsammlung im Tanzsaal Bocken – Dance and hand organs, street and fairground organs, and music boxes in the reconstructed Bocken dance hall; plus an accordion collection.
- Operated by
- Stichting Draaiorgels Helmond
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €5 |
|---|---|
| Children & teens | €2Children up to and including age 12 (primary school age) €2, including a glass of lemonade. |
| Groups (15+ people) | –Packages for groups of 15 or more, e.g. with pastries €10 to €11 per person, with lunch €22.50 per person. |
| Combined ticket with EDAH Museum (adults) | €8Includes coffee or tea in each museum |
| Combined ticket with EDAH Museum (children up to 12) | €3Includes lemonade |
| Draaiorgelmuseum annual pass | €50Available at the ticket desk in Loods20 |
Adult price includes a cup of coffee or tea. For concerts, admission and drink prices may differ.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible
- 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
Loods20 and the museums are accessible to wheelchair users; wheelchairs or walkers are not available to borrow.
Kids & families
| Time needed | approx. 60 min |
|---|
Children up to 12 pay the reduced admission price; the museum does not mention a special children’s programme.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Station Helmond
By train to Helmond station; from the station turn left along the footpath and cycle path and over the bicycle bridge to the Binnen Parallelweg.
By car
Parking available
Small car park for Loods20 visitors at the second entrance (barrier). Alternatives: Cacaofabriek (Cacaokade 1, 5705 LA Helmond) and Q-Park P+R Smalstraat Engelseweg at the back of the station; paid parking applies along the Binnen Parallelweg.
The Binnen Parallelweg is a side street of the Verlengde Stationsstraat and also a one-way cycle street; cars are allowed. Loods20 is the second building on the right. Bicycles can be parked at the building or in the station bicycle shed (with an OV card).
Get directionsAmenities & dining
Admission includes a hot drink, or a drink for children; for groups there are pastry, lunch and borrel (drinks and snacks) packages.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| Good to know | A visit including a free guided tour takes about one hour; volunteers demonstrate the organs. Group visits can be booked by email only, with name, telephone number, number of people and preferred date. |
