Kobesenmühle

About the museum

The Kobesenmühle lies in a water-rich hollow between Niederbüren and Niederhelfenschwil and, together with its surroundings, belongs to a protected village ensemble. The name goes back to a former owner named Jakob. The mill is already mentioned in the year 740 as property of the Abbey of St. Gallen; the residential house with exposed half-timbering dates from the 17th century, and the Mühlestuhl (mill frame) bears the year 1758. Around 1890 the water-powered milling operation was discontinued.

In 1917 Wilhelm Lehmann, born in 1884 in Wittenbach, acquired the property and lived here until his death in 1974. He created root carvings, sculptures in wood and tufa stone, drawings, woodcuts and texts, and saw himself as a critical observer of his time, without any interest in publicity. His wife Klara and daughter Verena laid out a natural garden beside the house, which today is itself regarded as a work of art.

In 1984 the Stiftung Wilhelm Lehmann was founded; it looks after the estate, the exhibition in the old mill, the residential houses, the garden with the tufa figures and the “obere Kobesen”. The exhibition has been open to the public since 1987. Every year the foundation also invites contemporary artists to enter into dialogue with the place and Lehmann’s work in the garden and the rooms; concerts and readings are also held.

Highlights

• Works by the artist and thinker Wilhelm Lehmann (1884–1974)
• Old mill with Mühlestuhl from 1758 and residential house from the 17th century
• Natural garden with tufa figures, listed in the Gartenführer Schweiz
• Dialogue with contemporary art that changes every year
• Coffee and cake in the garden during opening hours

Permanent exhibition

• Wilhelm Lehmann – Leben und Werk – The exhibition in the old mill shows sculptures in wood and tufa, root carvings, woodcuts and drawings by the artist and gives insight into his thinking; it is newly assembled every year.

Founded

1987

Operated by

Stiftung Wilhelm Lehmann

Admission & discounts

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: not available
• 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 the website, the exhibition is not wheelchair accessible.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

By car, in Niederhelfenschwil turn at the Kobesenmühle signpost (at the village exit towards Bischofszell), and at the fork by the linden tree keep left.

Amenities & dining

• Café

Coffee and cake are served in the natural garden during opening hours.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent

Outside the opening hours, the Kobesenmühle is available for group visits and smaller events; enquiries via the contact form or by phone.

Plan your visit