Finnish Accordion Museum

The Finnish Accordion Museum first opened in April 1993 in the Old Kerttu gallery. The museum association was founded thanks to the extensive collection of enthusiast Tauno Ylönen. His collection includes around 300 instruments from different eras, the oldest being a spoon-bass accordion from the 1850s.

Tauno Ylönen became fascinated with the accordion’s look and sound as a child, though he didn’t get his first instrument until age 25. That Accodiola accordion was soon traded for a reel-to-reel tape recorder, but five years later he bought a four-row Sonetto, far from his last instrument.

In 2001, the museum expanded to include a harmonica section with over 50 instruments. In addition to the main exhibitions, the museum features accordion-related items, a photo and award gallery, and annual themed exhibitions focusing on accordion masters, makers, instruments, and music.