Museum Herisau
Historical museum of the canton of Appenzell Ausserrhoden in Herisau's former town hall with everyday life, politics, culture and the Robert Walser room.
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About the museum
Museum Herisau opened in 1947. The Historical Society of Herisau and Surroundings, which runs it, had been founded in September 1946. Since 1967 the museum has been housed in the former town hall of the canton of Appenzell Ausserrhoden and the municipality of Herisau on the Platz, opposite the Reformed church. The building from 1828 stands on a site where the town hall had stood since 1601; the cantonal Grand Council met in the former council chamber until 1877.
Despite its name, the house is more than a local museum: it sees itself as a historical museum for the entire canton of Appenzell Ausserrhoden. The permanent exhibition offers insights into everyday life, politics and culture and covers, among other things, knights and castles, mobility and transport, mills in the Appenzellerland, medicine and spa culture, school history, and Ausserrhoden domestic and musical culture.
A room of its own is devoted to the life and work of the writer Robert Walser (1878–1956), who spent the last 23 years of his life in Herisau: original sources from his medical records and guardianship files as well as dedication copies and first editions. There is a separate tour for children. The museum also looks after an outpost in the Old Town Hall in the hamlet of Schwänberg.
Highlights
- Historical museum for the canton of Appenzell Ausserrhoden in the former town hall
- Robert Walser room with original sources and first editions
- Permanent exhibition from knights and castles to mills and spa culture
- Children's tour "Vera and Tim" and bear suitcase for schools
- Outpost Old Town Hall in Schwänberg
Permanent exhibitions
- Dauerausstellung zur Kultur- und Alltagsgeschichte Appenzell Ausserrhodens – Insights into everyday life, politics and culture: knights and castles, mobility, mills, medicine and spa culture, school history, and domestic and musical culture.
- Robert-Walser-Zimmer – Information on the life and work of the writer, with original sources from his medical records and guardianship files as well as dedication copies and first editions.
- Founded
- 1947
- Operated by
- Historischer Verein Herisau und Umgebung
Admission & discounts
| Adults | CHF 7 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | CHF 5Apprentices and students (with ID) |
| Children & teens | CHF 3free up to age 6 · Children up to 6 years free; young people up to 18 years from the cantons of AR and SG free, from other cantons CHF 3. |
| Students & apprentices | CHF 5Apprentices and students with ID |
| Groups | CHF 5 per personGroups with a guide, price per person. |
Free with the Swiss Museum Pass, for Raiffeisen members and for members of the Historical Society of Herisau.
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 6 |
|---|
- Family tours & workshops
- Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
The children's tour with the story of "Vera and Tim" leads through the whole museum, with a riddle for every object. For school classes, bear suitcase and workshop offerings.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Obstmarkt
About a 15-minute walk from Herisau station, or by bus to the Obstmarkt stop.
By car
Parking available
Parking in the Obstmarkt area.
The museum is located in the Old Town Hall on the Platz, opposite the Reformed church; by car, follow the signs towards the centre.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Events & venue rental
- Spaces for rent
- Private parties
- Weddings / ceremonies
The banqueting hall (former council chamber) can be rented for aperitifs, weddings, lectures and birthday meals. The parlours and the banqueting hall of the Old Town Hall in Schwänberg can also be rented for events.
Inquiries & detailsPlan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Tours and school offerings (workshop offerings, bear suitcase available to borrow) by registration. The Robert Walser room can be visited with a guide on request; the Robert Walser Trail can be walked all year round. An outdoor activity is the digital treasure hunt "Herisäuli". |
