Museum Ackerhus

About the museum

The house that now accommodates the museum was built in 1752 as a stately Toggenburg farmhouse on the Füberg near Oberhelfenschwil. Later it served as a poorhouse and was due to be demolished in 1949. The teacher, painter and collector Albert Edelmann (1886–1963) recognised its value, had it carefully dismantled and rebuilt in 1951/52 in Ebnat-Kappel at its present location "im Acker".

Edelmann furnished the building as a lived-in local heritage museum and gave his collection a home there: furniture, musical instruments, rural art and everyday objects that reflect life in the Toggenburg over four centuries. After his death, his long-time housekeeper Ida Bleiker continued to run the museum in his spirit together with the Albert-Edelmann-Stiftung. The foundation owns the house and the collection.

Since 2015 a modern extension has complemented the Baroque log-frame house; it serves as a cultural venue with a concert hall. The Kulturverein Ackerhus was founded in the same year and today looks after the museum, mostly on a voluntary basis. The tour leads through the parlour, the parlour chamber and other rooms with painted furniture, Alpine dairy-farming ornaments, house organs and neck zithers.

Highlights

• Toggenburg farmhouse from 1752 as a lived-in local heritage museum
• Painted furniture, Alpine dairy-farming ornaments and farmhouse painting
• House organs and neck zithers from the Toggenburg
• Collection of the teacher and painter Albert Edelmann
• Cultural venue with concert hall in the modern extension

Permanent exhibition

• Toggenburger Hauskultur – Domestic culture spanning four centuries with painted Toggenburg furniture, house organs and neck zithers, farmhouse painting and decorated everyday objects.

Founded

1952

Operated by

Kulturverein Ackerhus (Eigentümerin: Albert-Edelmann-Stiftung)

Admission & discounts

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom
• 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

According to the website, the museum is wheelchair accessible and the sanitary facilities are accessible; the hall in the extension has barrier-free access.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

Museum shop with regional crafts, textiles, woodwork and publications on Toggenburg culture.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events
• Weddings / ceremonies

Up to 100 guests.

Hall in the extension for 80–100 people with concert seating or about 60 at a banquet, with projector and screen; the historic house has a wedding room for civil ceremonies and smaller celebrations.

Plan your visit