Not to be confused with the Museum of Ethnology, the “Osterreichisches Museum fur Volkskunde” is a museum for students and lovers of local culture. It was founded in 1895 and has been in the Schonborn Palace in the Josefstadt district since 1917. The museum features collections of indigenous materials created by local folk from the 16th to the 19th centuries. These collections represent the lives and traditions of the inhabitants of Austria and its neighboring countries, from the regions in Alpine and the Danube to the Neusiedler See bordering Hungary and Austria and even as far as China. Not only will visitors gain a deeper appreciation of the customs and way of life around these counties and countries as portrayed through the numerous objects on display, but they can also see the innate creativity and resourcefulness of the people and how they have evolved through time.
On permanent display are folk art along with tools and furniture used for everyday life in the rural countries. Visitors can see toys, work tools, religious items, dining utensils, farming and craftwork implements as well as jewelry and musical instruments. Also on display are dioramas depicting religious ceremonies and festivals, traditional costumes and outfits worn by the people during the Middle Ages and popular Tyrolean and Vorarlberg art. A special exhibit this year focuses on the Art Nouveau collection of textiles and fabrics by Gustav Klimt’s partner, Emilie Floge – in celebration of Klimt’s 150th birth anniversary. There is also a gift shop in the building where visitors can pick up interesting souvenirs and literature about folk art in Austria.
