Morris Steinert Collection of Musical Instruments | Yale School of Music
Source: https://music.yale.edu/collection
Archived: 2026-04-23 15:43
Morris Steinert Collection of Musical Instruments | Yale School of Music
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Morris Steinert Collection of Musical Instruments
renovation
The Morris Steinert Collection of Musical Instruments is closed for renovation.
Our online gallery is always open. Explore the online collection today!
view now
about the collection
Our Mission
The
Morris Steinert Collection of Musical Instruments
is committed to fostering an understanding and appreciation of musical instruments from all cultures and periods. One of the foremost institutions of its kind, the Collection acquires, preserves, and exhibits musical instruments from antiquity to the present, and showcases restored examples in demonstrations and live performances.
The Morris Steinert Collection of Musical Instruments also serves as a laboratory for historical, artistic, and innovative exploration and education in the arts and sciences. It is a renowned study and research collection for scholars, musicians, and instrument makers, and a world-class museum that engages the public in the fascinating history of musical instruments through exhibits, publications, concerts, and outreach initiatives.
The Collection offers an extraordinary window into music history.
William Purvis, Professor in the Practice of Horn
History of the Collection
The Collection was established in 1900, when Morris Steinert presented his private collection to Yale. It continued to grow over the next century, thanks in large part to donations from alumni.
Early History: 1900–1960
In 1900, Morris Steinert, an entrepreneurial figure who played an important role in shaping New Haven’s music scene, gave his private musical instrument collection to Yale, consisting primarily of keyboard instruments, establishing the Collection.
Major Acquisitions and New Location: 1960–1970
The acquisition of the Belle Skinner Collection (1960) and the Emil Herrmann Collection (1962) established the
Morris Steinert Collection of Musical Instruments
as one of the world’s most important such repositories. It was once called a “collection of superlatives” by an enthusiastic admirer of the Skinner Collection. In 1961, the Collection was moved from its original location under the dome of Woolsey Hall to its present location in a Richardsonian Romanesque building at 15 Hillhouse Avenue.
Continuing Development: 1970–present
Since 1970, the Collection has nearly tripled in size, acquiring the Robyna Neilson Ketchum Collection of bells (1972) and the Andrew F. Petryn Collection of string instruments and bows (2013). Today, the Collection is comprised of more than 1,000 instruments and has helped scholars document the history of Western art music.
research
Research opportunities at the Collection have ignited curiosities, broadened knowledge, and influenced the career paths of students past and present.
Learn More
More at the Collection
From concerts to research to exhibitions, the Morris Steinert Collection of Musical Instruments is open to the public free of charge.
Concerts at the Collection
The Collection’s annual concert series introduces audiences to a host of historically informed artists. Many concerts feature restored instruments from the Collection.
view concerts
view concerts
Plan Your Visit
Interested in visiting the Collection? Here's everything you need to know, from directions and hours to information about scheduling a tour.
learn more
learn more
Support and Join
The
Morris Steinert Collection of Musical Instruments
wouldn’t be what it is today without the contributions of its associate members and individual donors. Discover how you can support this vital cultural resource.
support the collection
support the collection
Collection in the News
Announcements
Major gift renames Yale Collection of Musical Instruments, enables enhancements
Timothy A. Steinert ’82BA and his wife, Lixia Zhang, have made a major gift to the Yale...
Learn More
Collection
The Belle Skinner Collection of Musical Instruments: Sixty years at Yale
A tribute to the woman who assembled it
Learn More
Collection
Collection of Musical Instruments to reopen with new brass exhibition
New exhibit, "Resounding Brass: From Conch Shell to Silver Trumpet," will be on view through the...
Learn More
Skip to main content
Morris Steinert Collection of Musical Instruments
renovation
The Morris Steinert Collection of Musical Instruments is closed for renovation.
Our online gallery is always open. Explore the online collection today!
view now
about the collection
Our Mission
The
Morris Steinert Collection of Musical Instruments
is committed to fostering an understanding and appreciation of musical instruments from all cultures and periods. One of the foremost institutions of its kind, the Collection acquires, preserves, and exhibits musical instruments from antiquity to the present, and showcases restored examples in demonstrations and live performances.
The Morris Steinert Collection of Musical Instruments also serves as a laboratory for historical, artistic, and innovative exploration and education in the arts and sciences. It is a renowned study and research collection for scholars, musicians, and instrument makers, and a world-class museum that engages the public in the fascinating history of musical instruments through exhibits, publications, concerts, and outreach initiatives.
The Collection offers an extraordinary window into music history.
William Purvis, Professor in the Practice of Horn
History of the Collection
The Collection was established in 1900, when Morris Steinert presented his private collection to Yale. It continued to grow over the next century, thanks in large part to donations from alumni.
Early History: 1900–1960
In 1900, Morris Steinert, an entrepreneurial figure who played an important role in shaping New Haven’s music scene, gave his private musical instrument collection to Yale, consisting primarily of keyboard instruments, establishing the Collection.
Major Acquisitions and New Location: 1960–1970
The acquisition of the Belle Skinner Collection (1960) and the Emil Herrmann Collection (1962) established the
Morris Steinert Collection of Musical Instruments
as one of the world’s most important such repositories. It was once called a “collection of superlatives” by an enthusiastic admirer of the Skinner Collection. In 1961, the Collection was moved from its original location under the dome of Woolsey Hall to its present location in a Richardsonian Romanesque building at 15 Hillhouse Avenue.
Continuing Development: 1970–present
Since 1970, the Collection has nearly tripled in size, acquiring the Robyna Neilson Ketchum Collection of bells (1972) and the Andrew F. Petryn Collection of string instruments and bows (2013). Today, the Collection is comprised of more than 1,000 instruments and has helped scholars document the history of Western art music.
research
Research opportunities at the Collection have ignited curiosities, broadened knowledge, and influenced the career paths of students past and present.
Learn More
More at the Collection
From concerts to research to exhibitions, the Morris Steinert Collection of Musical Instruments is open to the public free of charge.
Concerts at the Collection
The Collection’s annual concert series introduces audiences to a host of historically informed artists. Many concerts feature restored instruments from the Collection.
view concerts
view concerts
Plan Your Visit
Interested in visiting the Collection? Here's everything you need to know, from directions and hours to information about scheduling a tour.
learn more
learn more
Support and Join
The
Morris Steinert Collection of Musical Instruments
wouldn’t be what it is today without the contributions of its associate members and individual donors. Discover how you can support this vital cultural resource.
support the collection
support the collection
Collection in the News
Announcements
Major gift renames Yale Collection of Musical Instruments, enables enhancements
Timothy A. Steinert ’82BA and his wife, Lixia Zhang, have made a major gift to the Yale...
Learn More
Collection
The Belle Skinner Collection of Musical Instruments: Sixty years at Yale
A tribute to the woman who assembled it
Learn More
Collection
Collection of Musical Instruments to reopen with new brass exhibition
New exhibit, "Resounding Brass: From Conch Shell to Silver Trumpet," will be on view through the...
Learn More