Ortsmuseum Amriswil
Local history museum in the ISA building with a permanent exhibition on the history of Amriswil, the textile and shoe industries, Dino Larese and the Goldener Löwen.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Ortsmuseum Amriswil was established in spring 1989 in the former horse stable of the old parsonage on Bahnhofstrasse. Four Amriswil residents – Eugen Fahrni, Hansruedi Göhring, Martin Rüthemann and Jörg Tschopp – had the idea and realized it after three years of preparation. As the exhibition kept growing, the museum moved in 2008 to the factory building of ISA Bodywear on Palmensteg, which offers four times as much bright floor space. In 2014 the museum team received the Anerkennungspreis (recognition award) of the city of Amriswil.
Today a commission works on behalf of the city. The permanent exhibition covers the period from around 700 AD to the present and combines local history with everyday stories. One focus is the industrial history that made Amriswil grow about 170 years ago, especially the textile and shoe industries. This includes an automatic loom from 1944, a circular knitting machine developed in Amriswil, industrial sewing machines and a small shoe repair workshop.
Other themes include a 1:20 scale model of the Gasthaus “Goldener Löwen,” which burned down in 1984, a section on the cultural figure Dino Larese, and stories such as that of vice consul Ernst Prodolliet, who helped Jewish refugees during World War II. Touchscreens and a projector complement the display cases and information panels.
Highlights
- History of Amriswil from around 700 AD to the present
- Textile and shoe industries, with a 1944 loom and a small shoe repair workshop
- Model of the Gasthaus “Goldener Löwen,” which burned down in 1984
- Section on Dino Larese and the refugee helper Ernst Prodolliet
- Touchscreens and a projector for digital exploration
Permanent exhibition
- Höhepunkte der Amriswiler Geschichte – The permanent exhibition shows local history and everyday life, industrial history with the textile and shoe industries, a model of the Goldener Löwen, and a section on Dino Larese.
- Founded
- 1989
- Operated by
- Stadt Amriswil (Kommission Ortsmuseum)
Admission & discounts
Admission is free.
| Group tour for up to 15 people | CHF 50 |
|---|---|
| Group tour for 16 people or more | CHF 100 |
| School class (flat rate) | CHF 50 |
Admission is free.
Accessibility
- 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
The museum is wheelchair accessible.
Kids & families
- Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
For middle-school classes and groups of the same age there is the “Stadtbummel” with a city map and questionnaire. A digital play corner with puzzles and memory games about the exhibits is available on the website.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Amriswil
By Thurbo lines S7 and S10 to Amriswil.
Amenities & dining
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Tours for groups by advance registration. In addition, the local museum offers public and private city tours (groups up to 15 people CHF 50, 16 people or more CHF 100), as well as a “Stadtbummel” city walk with a city map and questionnaire for middle-school classes (about 50 to 60 minutes). |