Appenzeller Volkskunde-Museum

About the museum

In 1983, Appenzell folklorists and supporters founded the cooperative Appenzeller Volkskunde-Museum Stein AR. Their aim was a “centre for rural culture” in which the collection of the Foundation for Appenzell Folklore could be shown and which would serve as a platform for the rural customs that remain alive to this day. The museum opened in 1987.

Later the range of topics expanded to textile home work: home weaving and home embroidery, the economic foundation of the canton of Appenzell Ausserrhoden, have belonged to the museum ever since, just like herding culture. The core of the collection goes back to the earlier collection of Bruno Bischofberger, which has been continually added to through purchases, donations and loans.

Over three floors, the permanent exhibition shows Appenzell furniture painting from the 18th century to about 1850, herder painting with the classics of the 19th century, as well as cooperage for dairy vessels, herders' saddlery, traditional costume and jewellery. The textile section features a working plain-stitch loom and two hand embroidery machines. The museum is in the village centre of Stein, next to the Appenzeller Show Dairy site.

Highlights

• Appenzell herding culture with alpine cheesemaking, dairy cooperage and herders' saddlery
• Farm painting and furniture painting of the 18th and 19th centuries
• Working plain-stitch loom and hand embroidery machines
• Make your own cheese in an alpine hut about 400 years old (offer for groups)
• Combined admission with the Appenzeller Show Dairy

Permanent exhibitions

• Appenzeller Sennenkultur – The entrance floor is all about alpine cheesemaking, the cheese vessels of the dairy coopers, herders' saddlery, and traditional costume and jewellery.
• Bauernmalerei und Möbelmalerei – An outstanding collection of Appenzell and Toggenburg farm painting and painted furniture from the 18th to the 19th century.
• Textilabteilung – A working plain-stitch loom and hand embroidery machines illustrate home weaving and home embroidery in Appenzell Ausserrhoden.

Founded

1987

Operated by

Genossenschaft Appenzeller Volkskunde-Museum Stein AR

Director

Caroline Raither-Schärli

Admission & discounts

Adults are those aged 17 and over. Free admission for cooperative members, patrons, with the Swiss Museum Pass, for members of ICOM and VMS, with the OSKAR guest card, Appenzeller Ferienkarte AI, Bodensee-Erlebniskarte, Swiss Travel System, Caritas, Raiffeisen MemberPlus, for patrons of the Open Art Museum and for birthday children (with ID).

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

According to a notice on the museum website, the whole three-storey museum is wheelchair accessible.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Hands-on stations

Family ticket; making cheese and weaving are hands-on activities that can be booked for groups and school classes.

Getting there & parking

The museum is in the village centre of Stein, next to the Appenzeller Show Dairy.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

Museum shop.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit