Schweizer Strohmuseum
Museum in the Villa Isler with a park, on the straw and hat-braiding industry of the Freiamt, with an interactive permanent exhibition and archive tours.
No sound? Check your device’s silent switch.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The "Freiämter Strohmuseum" opened on February 26, 1976 in the former building of the Freiämter Bank on Wohlen's Kirchenplatz. Over time it reached the limits of its space and concept, so those responsible looked for a new location. They found it in the Villa Isler with its spacious park.
Straw manufacturer August Isler had the villa built in the 1860s and laid out the associated park. To this day, old trees such as a yew around 200 years old, a ginkgo, a magnolia and a Japanese maple shape the scene. The last private owners wanted to preserve house and garden in the long term. In 2009 the property passed to the Ortsbürgergemeinde Wohlen (local citizens' municipality), which approved a planning credit for the conversion into a museum in the same year.
In May 2013, the "Strohmuseum im Park" reopened in the Villa Isler and received the Aargau Heritage Conservation Award (Aargauer Heimatschutzpreis) in its opening year. With the repositioning, it was renamed "Schweizer Strohmuseum" (Swiss Straw Museum) in 2023. The museum is supported by the Stiftung Freiämter Strohmuseum Wohlen.
The permanent exhibition "Von Stroh zu Gold" (From Straw to Gold) tells the story of the straw and hat-braiding industry, from rural home work in the 18th and 19th centuries, through export-oriented mass production for the international fashion market, to its decline in the last quarter of the 20th century. The collection includes hats, pattern books, braids, straw pictures, tools and documents, as well as photo, audio and video recordings.
Highlights
- Permanent exhibition "Von Stroh zu Gold" on the hat-braiding industry of the Freiamt
- Villa Isler from the 1860s with old trees in the park
- Archive tours with a view into the museum storage
- Discovery tour with the mascot Zaggli for children aged 5 to 9
- WerkStall with courses and workshops, museum shop and small café
Permanent exhibition
- Von Stroh zu Gold: Die Stroh- und Hutgeflechtindustrie – Multimedia, interactive journey from rural home work through the export-oriented hat-braiding industry of the Freiamt to its decline in the late 20th century.
- Founded
- 1976
- Operated by
- Stiftung Freiämter Strohmuseum Wohlen
Admission & discounts
| Adults | CHF 12 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | CHF 10AHV/IV (Swiss old-age and disability insurance) recipients and students up to age 25 |
| Children & teens | freefree up to age 16 · Children and young people up to age 16 enter free. |
| Seniors | CHF 10AHV/IV |
| Visitors with disabilities | CHF 10IV (disability insurance) |
| Students & apprentices | CHF 10Students up to age 25 |
| Families | CHF 20Parents, or two adults with one or more children up to age 16; each additional family member over 16 pays CHF 10, or CHF 8 at the reduced rate. |
Free admission also for Raiffeisen members (with a personal credit or Maestro card), and with the Swiss Museum Pass, VMS and ICOM. Admission also applies to the public guided tours.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible
- Elevator
- Accessible restroom
- Accessible parking
- Service dogs welcome
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
There is an accessible parking space by the museum (access via Bünzeggstrasse). The entrance is reached via a gravel path; anyone who needs to drive up to the building should register by phone. An outdoor lift on the left side of the building (door width 78 cm) serves the reception and all floors. The accessible toilet is on the first floor (door width 85 cm). Assistance dogs are allowed; other dogs can be tied up outdoors.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 16 |
|---|---|
| Family ticket | CHF 20 · Parents, or two adults with one or more children up to age 16; each additional family member over 16 pays CHF 10, or CHF 8 at the reduced rate. |
- Family tours & workshops
- Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
- Hands-on stations
- Kids’ birthday parties
Own tour with the mascot Zaggli for children aged 5 to 9, a digital treasure hunt "Wo ist Rudolf?" ("Where is Rudolf?") through the park (Actionbound app), and courses in the WerkStall for children and families. Children's birthday parties with a tour and crafts in the WerkStall for up to 10 children (1.5 hours CHF 200, 2.5 hours CHF 300). Children and young people up to age 16 enter free.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Bahnhof Wohlen AG
From Wohlen station, go down Bahnhofstrasse to the roundabout at Zentralstrasse, then down Bünzstrasse; the park entrance is on the right after about 100 meters.
By car
Parking available
Only a few parking spaces at the museum; more options nearby at Kirchenplatz and in multi-storey car parks (e.g. Migros, UBS).
- Accessible parking
Amenities & dining
- Café
- Museum shop
Small café with hot and cold drinks and seating in the park; museum shop with straw hats, straw jewelry, books and specialties from the park garden. More restaurants within walking distance.
Events & venue rental
- Spaces for rent
- Private parties
- Corporate events
- Weddings / ceremonies
Available for hire: the park for an aperitif or meal and, on request, the WerkStall and the salon of the villa. Civil weddings in the former dining room of the Villa Isler for up to 30 people (booking via the Regionales Zivilstandsamt Wohlen).
Inquiries & detailsPlan your visit
| Guided tours | yes · approx. 60 min |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | On the first Sunday of each month at 14:00, free public tour of the permanent exhibition (about 60 minutes, no registration required). On selected Saturdays at 14:15, archive tour (about 45 minutes, maximum 12 people, registration required). Workshops and work materials for school classes. |
