Museum Appenzell
Cultural history museum in two houses on the Hauptgasse: Appenzell hand embroidery, peasant painting, costumes and folk piety.
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About the museum
The Historischer Verein Appenzell (Historical Association of Appenzell) set up the museum in 1879 as a collection of antiquities in the former arsenal. When that building had to make way for the new Bahnhofstrasse in 1886, the collection moved into the castle. In 1966 the museum, then known as the local heritage museum, moved into the town hall.
From 1991 to 1995 the museum was completely renewed and expanded with the Haus Buherre Hanisefs to become today's Museum Appenzell. Both buildings date from shortly after the devastating village fire of 1560; the museum occupies them as well as the upper floors of the town hall on the Hauptgasse.
The permanent exhibition is devoted to the rural, Catholic-influenced cultural history of Appenzell Innerrhoden. It covers the once world-famous hand embroidery, peasant and furniture painting, the beginnings of tourism in the Alpstein, the Innerrhoden costumes, traditional crafts and popular piety. It includes an object collection and a photo collection, and the museum kiosk sells products from regional makers inspired by the collection.
Highlights
- Appenzell hand embroidery, once made for Paris fashion houses
- Peasant and furniture painting, Sennenstreifen and panel painting
- Festive costumes with Schlottenkragen and silver jewelry
- Folk piety: devotional objects from baptism, marriage and death
- Children's stations with the "Geissli-Pass"
Permanent exhibition
- Spetzlistich, Rosenkranz und Bärenzahn – The permanent exhibition covers the folk culture and everyday life of Innerrhoden: hand embroidery, peasant painting, costumes, crafts, tourism history and religious objects.
- Founded
- 1879
- Director
- Birgit Langenegger und Martina Obrecht (Co-Leitung)
Admission & discounts
| Adults | CHF 9 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | CHF 7Disability insurance (IV) recipients and students |
| Children & teens | –Children accompanied by adults free |
| Visitors with disabilities | CHF 7Disability insurance (IV) recipients |
| Students & apprentices | CHF 7 |
| Groups (10+ people) | CHF 5 per personPer person from 10 people |
| School classes (per child) | CHF 3School classes from the cantons of AI and AR free |
| Guided tour of the permanent exhibition (up to 20 people) | CHF 120Plus admission |
| Guided tour on a chosen theme (up to 20 people) | CHF 150Plus admission |
| Workshop look at crafts (1 hour, up to 15 people) | CHF 250Plus group admission CHF 5 per person |
Free admission with the Swiss Museum Pass, Appenzeller Ferienkarte, BodenseeCard PLUS, OSKAR guest card, Raiffeisen debit card, VMS/AMS member card, ICOM card and Swiss Travel Pass. Embroiderers have free admission at the monthly hand-embroidery meetup.
Accessibility
- Partially 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
Wheelchair accessible except for one small exhibition room.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
- Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
- Hands-on stations
The "Geissli-Pass" leads children to their own stations in the permanent exhibition: embroider a handkerchief, play with the mouse house, try metal chasing and decipher a secret script. School classes find teaching materials and puzzle games on the website.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Bahnhof Appenzell · 5-min walk
About a 5-minute walk from Appenzell station.
The museum is in the village center at Hauptgasse 4.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Museum shop
Museum kiosk in the entrance area with products from local and regional makers, freely accessible during opening hours.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Public guided tours of the permanent exhibition on the 1st and 3rd Sunday and on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of each month at 15:00. Group tours for up to 20 people by registration, in German; other languages on request. From June to October craftspeople show their work on Thursdays and an embroiderer on Fridays. The museum is a TiM museum and welcomes tandems. |
