The nature exhibition in its previous form was created in the 1980s. After many years, this exhibition of the collection replaced the Natural History Museum on Herrenacker, which had been destroyed on 1 April 1944. For its time, it was considered an “aesthetically and didactically well-designed modern exhibition,” and it received the European Museum of the Year Award in 1991.

With the closure, preparations for the new exhibition are beginning: Thousands of exhibits are being carefully removed from the display cases, cleaned, packed, and safely stored away. Step by step, the familiar exhibition is being dismantled. However, the space will not remain empty: Later this year, the historic Gothic attic—whose wooden beams date back to 1496—will become part of the traveling exhibition “Fostered. Locked away. Forgotten?. This exhibition is dedicated to the Swiss history of coercive welfare measures, forced foster placements, and the societal reckoning with this past.

At the same time, our focus is shifting to the future. Work is already underway on a comprehensive renovation of the attic, with the goal of creating a contemporary exhibition space that meets both conservation standards and the needs of the public. Once the renovation work is finished—which is currently scheduled to take place in 2028—a completely redesigned nature exhibition will be installed. Its opening is planned for mid-2029.