Harmonium- & Orgel-Museum
Sounding private museum behind Liestal station with over 130 harmoniums and organs; visits by appointment only, usually as a guided tour with live music.
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About the museum
The museum in Liestal regards itself as the first harmonium museum on the European continent and, by its own account, has existed since 1991. In 1994 it was awarded the Culture Prize of the Basellandschaftliche Kantonalbank. Since 2010 it has been called the “Harmonium- & Orgel-Museum”, because the collection includes historic pipe organs as well as harmoniums. It was created and is run by the musician Dieter Stalder, who restores the instruments himself and keeps them playable.
On three floors, over 130 instruments from two centuries are on display: harmoniums of many designs, organ harmoniums, piano and celesta harmoniums, square pianos, historic house organs and Black Forest flute clocks. Numerous original construction plans and important specialist literature also belong to the collection and document the company history of an instrument that has long since ceased to be built.
The museum is not a house with fixed opening hours but a “sounding” museum: during the tours, the most interesting instruments are played live. Public concerts and private concerts are also held, and individual instruments can be rented or bought for performances.
Highlights
- Over 130 harmoniums, organs, square pianos and other keyboard instruments from two centuries
- Historic pipe organs and Black Forest flute clocks
- Tours with live harmonium and organ music
- Original construction plans and specialist literature on harmonium building
- First harmonium museum on the European continent
Permanent exhibition
- Sammlung historischer Harmoniums und Orgeln – Over 130 instruments on three floors, including harmoniums of various designs, square pianos, house organs and flute clocks; during tours, selected pieces are played live.
- Founded
- 1991
- Operated by
- Privatmuseum (Dieter Stalder)
Admission & discounts
| Groups | –Admission is agreed for each group when the appointment is made by telephone. |
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No price list is published; admission and arrangements are agreed when booking.
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Kids & families
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Liestal Bahnhof
The museum is located directly behind Liestal station.
Navigation address: Widmannstrasse 9a, 4410 Liestal.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Museum shop
Sale of CDs, sheet music and specialist literature on the harmonium; orders by post.
Events & venue rental
- Spaces for rent
- Private parties
- Corporate events
The museum is suitable for club, business and family events; private concerts are held.
Inquiries & detailsPlan your visit
| Guided tours | yes · approx. 1.5 hrs |
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| Good to know | Group tours with live harmonium music last about one and a half hours; there are seats for all participants. Appointment and arrangements only by prior telephone agreement. |
