The history of the museum

The building that houses the Museum is the house that the Spontinis had built with the intention of making it their residence upon their return to Maiolati, which they did not do until September 1850 and for a few months. The old rural building, purchased by the composer in 1842 from the Valchera family, was renovated in neoclassical style between 1843 and 1846 by the Jesi architect Ciriaco Santini, who was in constant correspondence with the owners. Here Gaspare Spontini spent the last months of his life with his wife Maria Caterina Celeste Erard, until his death on January 24, 1851. Afterwards, the building continued to host Celeste Erard’s stays in Maiola, when she returned to live in France, and became the seat of the Regency of the Charitable Works. Between 1920 and 1936, the house served as the Town Hall, then as an elementary school, treasury, pharmacy, public housing, grain storage, and warehouse.