Draaiorgelmuseum

Draaiorgelmuseum is a small but atmospheric museum dedicated to street organs and mechanical musical instruments, tucked away in Voortkapel, part of Westerlo in the province of Antwerp. The collection was assembled by Luc Peeters, a lifelong enthusiast of mechanical music who has worked with these instruments for decades — by his own admission, a hobby that simply grew out of hand. The museum was established in the early 2000s and has expanded steadily since then, becoming one of the region's more distinctive, if still under-the-radar, cultural stops.

What can visitors see inside?

At the heart of the collection are roughly twenty-five organs, both large and small. They range from street organs and fairground organs to dance organs and café organs, covering the full spectrum of instruments that once accompanied public entertainment across Belgium and the Netherlands. One piece dates back to 1938 and was built by the organ maker Bursens of Hoboken, while other instruments carry the names of respected manufacturers such as Decap and Mortier, both well known among collectors of mechanical music.

Alongside the organs, the museum also displays other music-playing devices, including accordions, smaller playback machines and music boxes. A separate highlight is the jukebox collection, among which a rare Ami model from 1948, built to play 78-rpm gramophone records, stands out.

Why it's worth a visit

What sets the Draaiorgelmuseum apart from many larger institutions is its personal character — this is a collection shaped over the years by a single collector rather than a museum built by committee. That gives the visit a more intimate, almost home-workshop feel, and the instruments are frequently demonstrated in action, which for many visitors turns out to be the highlight of the trip. The museum is especially rewarding for anyone interested in the history of mechanical engineering, mechanical music, and the organ-building craft of the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is the Draaiorgelmuseum located? The museum is located in Voortkapel, part of the municipality of Westerlo, in the Belgian province of Antwerp.

Who founded the museum? The collection was put together by Luc Peeters, a long-time collector of mechanical musical instruments.

How many organs are on display? The museum holds around twenty-five organs of various sizes, from large fairground organs to smaller café models.

Are there exhibits besides the organs themselves? Yes, the museum also shows accordions, music boxes, mechanical playback devices, and a jukebox collection that includes a rare 1948 Ami model.

What is the oldest piece in the collection? One of the organs dates from 1938 and was built by the organ maker Bursens of Hoboken.