Starting with Johannes Brahms and the King of Prussia, private donors and collectors have proven extremely generous. They have enriched the collection by bequeathing single items and even whole collections as gifts or loans to the museum.
H. C. Bodmer Collection
In 1956 shortly before his death, the Swiss doctor Hans Conrad Bodmer bequeathed his comprehensive and significant collection to the Beethoven-Haus. Aside from outstanding manuscripts and sketches, the collection comprises over 500 letters, as well as several portraits, pieces of furniture and smaller items owned by Beethoven.
Zimmermann Collection
This collection of valuable woodwind instruments by famous instrument makers dating from the seventeenth to the nineteenth century belonged to Dr. Josef Zimmermann. Following his death in 1979, it was given to the Beethoven-Haus on permanent loan. In 1981 his widow turned the loan into a donation. A collection of instruments from Beethoven's own day is a popular part of the permanent exhibition (room 7).
Pianoforte by Conrad Graf
In 1998 the Beethoven-Haus was presented with a second pianoforte by the Viennese piano manufacturer Conrad Graf from 1824. It was given on permanent loan from the estate of one of its deceased patrons Dr. Jörg-Dieter Hummel. This instrument allows Beethoven's music to be performed on an authentic instrument. It is in the Museum lecture theatre and available for recitals and talks.
Family foundation of Julius Wegeler
The Wegeler family from Koblenz, descendants of Beethoven's friend Franz Gerhard Wegeler, were in possession of many letters, music manuscripts and documents from Beethoven's friends. The collection was presented to the Beethoven-Haus on permanent loan in 1998.
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