Ortsmuseum Hinwil
Local museum in a Flarz half-timbered house from 1718 with living rooms from around 1800, a barn, a peat shed and a display storage; free admission.
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About the museum
The Ortsmuseum Hinwil has existed since 1925: at that time Rudolf Müdespacher bought the second-oldest part of the property, which was then converted into the local museum. In 2025 the museum celebrated its 100th anniversary. It is run by the Gesellschaft Ortsmuseum Hinwil (GOH), an association that is politically and denominationally neutral.
The residential house, a Flarz half-timbered house, was built in 1718 by Hans-Ulrich Furrer and extended in several stages: in 1737 by an extension towards the stream, in 1816 and 1832 by extensions to the east. The largely original living rooms bring the period around 1800 to life; the weaving cellar shows cottage industry. Other rooms deal with former health care, folklore, Hinwil history and uniforms. A special feature is the house organ, built in 1856 by a farmer from Wernetshausen.
Behind the house stands the barn of 1794 (completely renovated in 1991), where farm work through the year is shown with tools and carts, along with traditional crafts. The peat shed recalls peat cutting in the Hinwil wetlands. Whatever has no room in the museum can be seen in the display storage in the former medical aid post near the Breite school building. There is also a fire brigade museum in the fire-engine house, which is looked after by veteran firefighters.
Highlights
- Living rooms in the Flarz half-timbered house of 1718 with an original character
- Weaving cellar on cottage industry and house organ from 1856
- Barn of 1794 with farm tools and crafts
- Peat shed on peat cutting and display storage
- Free admission, many objects may be tried out
Permanent exhibitions
- Wohnhaus im Flarz-Riegelhaus – Largely original living rooms around 1800, a weaving cellar on cottage industry and rooms on health care, folklore, local history and uniforms.
- Scheune und Turpenschopf – Farm work through the year with tools and carts, traditional crafts and peat cutting.
- Schaulager – Objects on the change in everyday life in the 19th century, when industrialisation displaced rural life and cottage industry.
- Founded
- 1925
- Operated by
- Gesellschaft Ortsmuseum Hinwil (GOH)
Admission & discounts
Admission is free.
| Groups | CHF 100 per personSchool class: CHF 100 per class, Hinwil classes free. |
|---|
Free admission. School class visit CHF 100 per class (classes from Hinwil free).
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
- Family tours & workshops
- Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
- Hands-on stations
The museum sees itself as family-friendly; many objects may be tried out. The Gwunderkoffer (curiosity case) with around 30 museum objects to explore can be borrowed by school classes.
Getting there & parking
The museum is at Oberdorfstrasse 11 in Hinwil. A visit combines well with excursions to the Hinwiler Tobel or the Bachtel.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Events & venue rental
Concerts and events take place in the museum barn.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Tours of the museum and the display storage after advance booking via the online form or with Ursina Hilty (tours and reservations). School classes arrange their visit according to their own wishes; many objects may be tried out. The museum is suitable in any weather and offers seating for a snack. |
