Strohdachhaus Muhen

About the museum

The thatched house at Hardstrasse 3 in Muhen is first documented in 1721; its exact year of construction is unknown, and the architectural elements point to the 17th century. Unlike most thatched houses in Aargau, it was spared later structural alterations. It has not been inhabited since 1954. In 1961 the Aargau Heritage Protection Association acquired it, but on the day of the official handover it burned down to the living quarters after an arson attack.

With help from the Confederation, the canton and the heritage association, the cultural monument was rebuilt in 1962/63 and has since been open to visitors as a folklore document with its interior furnishings, as a farmhouse living museum. In 1983 the municipality of Muhen bought the house. The high-post house, built in timber-frame construction, carries a massive hipped thatched roof; four high posts, roughly twelve metres tall, support the roof, and the skilfully joined framework is purely carpenters' work.

A volunteer thatched-house team looks after the inventory for many hours each month. On the floor of the hayloft an exhibition on the craft of the thatchers was created, alongside collection holdings from trades such as carpenter, rope-maker and blacksmith, as well as period documents from Muhen. The best room can be booked for weddings.

Highlights

• Rare high-post house with hipped thatched roof, first mentioned in 1721
• Farmhouse living museum with an originally furnished farmhouse parlour
• Exhibition on the thatchers' craft in the hayloft
• Collection on carpenters, rope-makers, blacksmiths and period documents from Muhen
• Free admission; weddings possible in the best room

Permanent exhibitions

• Bäuerliches Wohnmuseum – The high-post house with living quarters, threshing floor and stable shows life in an old farmhouse through its interior furnishings, such as the best room.
• Handwerk der Strohdachdecker – Exhibition on the floor of the hayloft about the craft of the thatchers, complemented by objects from trades such as carpenter, rope-maker and blacksmith as well as period documents from Muhen.

Operated by

Einwohnergemeinde Muhen

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Admission is free.

Accessibility

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

Address for navigation: Hardstrasse 3, 5037 Muhen.

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Weddings / ceremonies

Up to 40 guests.

The best room (farmhouse parlour) can be booked for weddings in cooperation with the Regional Civil Registry Office Schöftland; on the square behind the house (under the projecting roof when it rains) an apéro for up to 40 people is possible. Costs and conditions are in the municipality's application for use.

Plan your visit