The Kessels Museum
Brief history
A large collection from the Kessels factory, both instruments and tools and machines, was saved from destruction by the son of one of the employees at Kessels (Mr J.P. Passier (1899-1971)), Bert Passier (1937-2001). This collection is currently managed by 'Kessels, Music Instruments Tilburg' (known as Musical Instrument Maker's Museum Muzima until 2012). Since 2014, the collection was on public display at the museum 'Kessels Muziek Instrumenten Tilburg', located in Dröge's former textile factory, Goirkestraat 96 in Tilburg. In 2022, the museum moved to Stationsstraat 26 in Tilburg, where, as a recognised museum, it presents the collection to the public through a permanent exhibition and related activities.
Mission
The Kessels Museum makes the heritage of the Kessels musical instrument factory accessible to a wide audience by focusing on stories, music and the maker aspect.
Vision
The Kessels Museum is committed to making the enriching and connecting power of music - in the spirit of Mathieu Kessels - accessible to a wide audience in Tilburg, music-making city.
Objective
The Kessels Museum manages and maintains the collection recognised by the municipality of Tilburg of the former musical instrument factories of Mathieu Kessels and sons in Tilburg. This collection also includes the music books and print works of the printing/publishing company. The foundation also aims to open up and present the collection to a broader public.
The foundation is classified as an Institution for General Benefit (ANBI no 809072348) and is affiliated to the Museum Association.
Policy
Mathieu Kessels was an innovative manufacturer of musical instruments with a big heart for social aspects of his employees. He was also a composer, publisher of sheet music, organiser of competitions and founder of national organisations in the music world. His factory produced almost all kinds of musical instruments: brass and woodwind instruments, string and percussion instruments, pianos, pianolas, harmoniums and all kinds of props for musicians, brass bands and brass bands.
As a stimulator of Tilburg and Southern Dutch musical life and one of Tilburg's largest employers, Kessels is an important and authentic part of Tilburg's cultural heritage. The Kessels Museum Foundation collects, preserves, classifies, describes, conserves and restores this heritage. Exhibits it and disseminates information about it in word, image and writing.
Read the Annual Policy Plan 2023 here
Activities
During fixed opening hours during the week, visitors are welcomed and shown around the instruments, tools, machines and records on display and visit the museum's restoration workshops. Outside these fixed hours, groups are welcomed and guided by appointment.
In addition to the permanent core exhibition, a changing part of the collection is included in a themed exhibition every year. On an ongoing basis, the tools, machines, instruments, music pieces, catalogues, photos, etc. are further classified, described and included in the database.
Where necessary, machines, tools and musical instruments are restored or conserved in the various workshops of the Kessels Museum.
Non-Kessels instruments are also made playable here and made available for music education or the Music Lab.
More info
For more info on objectives, the Kessels Museum's statutes and annual report, visit this page.
