Heimatmuseum Etter

About the museum

Willi Etter (died 2014) founded the Heimatmuseum in 1961 in his home, an old Thurgau half-timbered house from the 18th century. At first he set up an “Ahnenstube” (ancestors’ room) with items from the whole house in the former embroidery workshop. As the collection grew, a second room was added, the former Darmhandlung (sausage-casing shop), as well as the wagon shed, the former cowshed and the gable room. Willi Etter was known as a village historian, and many pieces were given to him by his large circle of acquaintances.

In 1975 he acquired an old wash house in the hamlet of Atzenholz near Häggenschwil, which was dismantled, numbered and rebuilt in Donzhausen in 1979 as the Riegelhüsli; today it serves as a club room and belongs to the museum. In 1986 the family founded the Verein Heimatmuseum Etter, and in 2015 a clock room was created by converting the former hay loft.

Today the museum shows, in eight rooms, mainly objects from the region made between 1650 and 1950: furnished living rooms, ceramics and glass, weapons from the Sonderbund War, toys, fire-fighting equipment, bathhouse (Bader) utensils, clocks, mechanical musical instruments, and curiosities such as walking sticks with hidden interiors and mousetraps. The museum is run as a family association; family members conduct the guided tours.

Highlights

• Half-timbered house from the 18th century with eight exhibition rooms
• Farming and household implements, tools, glass and ceramics
• Clock room with standing, wall and pocket clocks
• Walking sticks with hidden interiors, mousetraps and mechanical musical instruments
• Weapons from the Sonderbund War, fire-fighting equipment, bathhouse (Bader) utensils
• Guided tours with anecdotes from the museum director

Permanent exhibition

• Bäuerliche und handwerkliche Kultur von 1650 bis 1950 – In eight rooms of a half-timbered house, the museum shows furnished living rooms, implements, ceramics, weapons, toys, clocks, mechanical musical instruments, fire-fighting equipment, walking sticks with hidden interiors and mousetraps.

Founded

1961

Operated by

Verein Heimatmuseum Etter

Director

Kurt Etter

Admission & discounts

The museum can only be visited as part of a guided tour. An apéro after the tour is available on request (price on inquiry). The Thurgau Lottery Fund supports museum visits by school classes and vocational schools.

Accessibility

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Hands-on stations

According to the website, visitors may touch everything in the museum; for lower school grades there are interactive tours.

Getting there & parking

Amenities & dining

Drinks are available on request in the club room (Riegelhüsli).

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent

Up to 14 guests.

The club house (non-smoking) has room for 12 to a maximum of 14 people, usually in connection with a guided tour; price on request.

Plan your visit