Kessels Museum
Musical instrument museum in the Huis van Muziek in Tilburg, centred on the factory of Mathieu Kessels, with a MuziekLab and a restoration workshop.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
Mathieu Kessels (1858–1932) came from a musical family and, together with his brother, built up a sheet music publishing business from 1880. In 1886 he moved the firm to Tilburg and founded a musical instrument factory there, which at times employed over 200 people and supplied Queens Emma and Wilhelmina. After a falling-out with the shareholders he left the company in 1914 and opened a rival factory across the street. The firm went bankrupt in 1939.
Instruments and tools passed into the hands of the Passier family, who preserved the core of the collection. In 1986 the Museum of Musical Instrument Makers (Muzima) opened in Tilburg; since 2012 it has been called Kessels Museum. In 2010 the Passier family donated more than 2,000 objects to a foundation. In 2022 the museum moved from the Spoorzone to the Huis van Muziek on Stationsstraat, which is used by the Koninklijke Harmonie.
On three floors, the permanent exhibition shows brass and woodwind instruments, pianos, harmoniums, workbenches, tools and sheet music. Volunteers restore instruments and machines in the workshop on the first floor in front of visitors; in the MuziekLab, guests can try out instruments from around the world.
Highlights
- Instruments from the factory of Mathieu Kessels, from marching band to symphony orchestra
- Piano loft with playable pianos and harmoniums
- Restoration workshop where volunteers work every day
- MuziekLab for trying out instruments from around the world
- Guided tours, children's birthday parties and Zolderconcerten (attic concerts)
Permanent exhibitions
- Dauerausstellung Mathieu Kessels – On three floors, the life and factory of Mathieu Kessels are presented with groups of instruments from the marching band to the symphony orchestra, and a piano floor.
- MuziekLab – Hands-on area on the second floor where visitors can try out instruments from around the world for themselves.
- Founded
- 1986
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €11 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €5.50Students with a CJP or CKV card (50%) |
| Children & teens | €6free up to age 3 · Children aged 4 to 12: €6; under 4: free. |
| Students & apprentices | €5.50CJP and CKV card: 50% discount. |
| Groups | €9.50 per personGuided groups (maximum 12 people per guide): €9.50 per person plus a €65 guide fee. |
| Group tour (fee per guide, up to 12 people) | €65Plus €9.50 per person; request at least 3 weeks in advance. |
Free with Museumkaart and ICOM card.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible
- Elevator
- 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
Wheelchair accessible, with a lift in the building; assistance dogs and guide dogs are welcome.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 3 |
|---|
- Family tours & workshops
- Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
- Hands-on stations
- Kids’ birthday parties
In the MuziekLab, children and adults may try out instruments; the scavenger hunt (ages 4 and up) is included in the admission price. "Build your own instrument" workshops on Wednesdays and Fridays, 2–3 p.m. (maximum 8 participants, registration by email at kids@kesselsmuseum.nl). Children's birthday parties on Wednesdays and Fridays from 2 p.m. (1.5 hours, up to 8 children).
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Bahnhof Tilburg · 200 m
About 200 m on foot from Tilburg NS railway station.
By car
No on-site parking at the museum.
No parking of its own; Spoorzone Zwijsen, Knegtel and Pieter Vreedeplein car parks are about a 10-minute walk away.
Free bicycle parking.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Café
Museum café, open during regular opening hours.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes · approx. 1.5 hrs |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Tours last a maximum of 1.5 hours with up to 12 people per guide, focusing on history, the MuziekLab or the restoration workshop. Group packages for 15 people or more (Tuesday–Sunday) with coffee, a tour and lunch or high tea (€39 to €51.50 per person). School programmes for primary and secondary schools (primary school maximum 90 minutes). |
