Montafon Museum of Local History Schruns

In 1906, a cadre of local history aficionados commenced gathering an array of unique fauna, flora, and minerals indigenous to the Montafon region, subsequently unveiling their acquisitions to the public eye. Spearheaded by Johann Wiederin, the esteemed headmaster of Schruns school, the collection underwent augmentation with the inclusion of antique furnishings, fine art, and pictorial representations. The initial humble abode on Silvrettastraße garnered recognition as a potential repository, thus birthing the “Montafoner Heimatschutzmuseum” in Schruns, ceremoniously unveiled on June 12, 1921.

By 1978, the museum found its new abode at Schruns’ church square, taking residence within a historic Montafon estate house sporting a 1710 gable. This structure, erected in the Rhaeto-Romanic architectural style and once serving as the domain of mountain magistrates, underwent refurbishment and expansion with the addition of a modern annex. Leveraging contemporary insights, this harmonious fusion presents a golden opportunity to effectively showcase the diverse exhibits housed within these contrasting edifices.

Within its walls lie cultural treasures amassed from various valley locales, offering glimpses into the communal lifestyle of Montafon residents. Visitors are treated to an immersive journey through Montafon’s vibrant heritage and laborious ethos within the confines of the old building, while the new wing is dedicated to ongoing exhibit installations. The itinerary encompasses an assortment of agricultural implements, folklore artifacts, art-historical heirlooms, and masterpieces from the Gothic and Baroque periods. Notably, the tour features former high altar sculptures from the Schruns parish church, crafted around 1790 by Josef Klemens Widower of Imst.

Designed to mimic a scholastic setting, complete with a pedagogue’s lectern, harmonium, and fixed wooden seating, the venue once hosted concurrent instruction for eight distinct grade levels. For scholarly pursuits, Josef Zurkirchen’s “Montafon Archive” offers a treasure trove of resources, accessible by appointment. The Heimatschutzverein Montafon assumes the mantle of the Heimatmuseum’s benefactor and custodian of its cherished collection.

In November 2011, the residents of Schruns partook in a public referendum regarding a proposed new museum edifice. Marte/Marte architects proffered a design featuring reduced concrete elements, ultimately met with dissent from the local populace.