The museum was officially established on 22 March 1924, when the Peeter Süda Memorial Society was registered to preserve the legacy of the late composer and organist. Initially located at Kadriorg Palace, the museum began consolidating and organising Süda’s legacy, expanding in 1929 to collect materials from all Estonian composers and musical figures. In 1931, the institution was renamed the Music Museum Society. The final move to Assauwe Tower, which was part of the Tallinn Conservatory, took place in 1933, with the museum’s doors ceremoniously opening to visitors on 1 March 1934.
The
collection of theatrical historical materials began in the early 20th
century, accompanied by a unique legend. In 1908, Karl Jungholz, the
director of Estonia Theatre at the time, visited actor and director
Heino Vaks with an item tucked into the playbill for a production of
“Nora”. During their conversation, Jungholz gestured towards the
playbill left on the table and said it was time to start collecting
such materials related to Estonian theatre. Heino Vaks’s collection
formed the basis of the Theatre Museum Society, established in 1937
to systematically preserve theatrical materials. Initially housed in
the cellar of Alexander Nevsky Cathedral at Toompea, the various
collections of the Music and Theatre Museum Society were merged after
Estonia’s occupation in 1941, forming the Theatre and Music Museum.
In 2019, the museum merged with the Estonian History Museum.
To
celebrate the museum’s centenary, the exhibition “Astounding
Stories about Theatre and Music” will open on 22 March 2024,
featuring stories of Estonian theatre and music figures’ lives,
ranging from joyful or sad to simply incredible. For the first time,
the entire museum building will be part of the exhibition, allowing
visitors access to spaces that have housed theatrical and musical
collections for decades, previously closed to the public. This
includes full access to Assauwe Tower, which dates back to the 14th
century and is part of Tallinn’s historical city wall. The museum
also includes a cosy courtyard and the Peeter Süda Hall, where music
and theatrical events are hosted. Exciting public programmes,
concerts and an anniversary celebration for the city’s residents
will accompany the exhibition.
After composer and organist Peeter Süda’s death in 1920, the initiative of collector August Pulst brought Süda’s musical works and sheet music collection to the Estonian Museum in Kadriorg Palace, Tallinn, where these were housed under the name Peeter Süda Room until 1926.
The
Estonian Theatre and Music Museum was officially established in 1924
with the registration of the Peter Süda Memorial Society. the museum
began consolidating and organising Süda’s legacy, expanding in
1929 to collect materials from all Estonian composers and musical
figures. In 1931, the institution was renamed the Music Museum
Society. The final move to Assauwe Tower, which was part of the
Tallinn Conservatory, took place in 1933, with the museum’s doors
ceremoniously opening to visitors on 1 March 1934.
The preservation of theatre history began in 1934 when Albert Üksip, Leo Kalmet, Andres Särev, Eduard Reining and Heino Vaks founded the Theatre Museum Society to collect theatre-related materials. Initially, these were stored in the cellar of Alexander Nevsky Cathedral at Toompea. Following Estonia’s occupation in 1941, the various collections of the Music and Theatre Museum Society were merged to establish the Theatre and Music Museum as a centralised state museum. In 1982, a new branch was opened at 23 Tina Street, the former residence of Andres and Anna Särev from 1937 to 1980, known as the Andres Särev Apartment Museum.
Assauwe tower
The Estonian Theatre and Music Museum is located in a unique historical building in Tallinn’s Old Town, connected to the mediaeval city wall. The most exceptional part of the building is the mediaeval Assauwe Tower, which visitors can learn more about from the information boards in the newly renovated courtyard. A convenient ramp now leads to Assauwe Courtyard, which can host various events. Formerly used partly as an archive, the tower now offers access to all floors for visitors exploring the exhibition “Astounding Stories about Theatre and Music” starting this year.
Did you know?
- Before the town was established, a small marshy lake lay above the site of Assauwe Tower, with water flowing to the sea via a stream along what is now Sauna Street.
- Assauwe Tower is over 600 years old. The current semi-circular plan of the tower was built around 1400 on the first elevation of the city wall. In the 1480s, a new defence platform, similar to the previous one but roofed, was added to the tower.
- The tower was named after Asso, a town shepherd who lived on the other side of the street in the late 14th century.
- In modern times, the tower lost its military significance; it was privatised and used as a warehouse, with new doorways added to the courtyard and street. The lower floor was used as a horse stable in the 19th century, and hay was kept on the upper floors.
- In the 1920s, the plot on the site of the filled moat with the tower was acquired by the Tallinn Conservatory Society.
- In 1933, the museum moved to Müürivahe Street, and on 1 March 1934, the first exhibition was opened. Initially, only the lower part of Assauwe Tower was used by the museum.
