Child labourers
Exhibition | accessibility.time_to
Even in the pre-industrial era, children made a vital contribution to the family economy, whether in the home, on the land or in cottage industries. With the advent of industrialisation, children – particularly those from poor families – were exploited in textile factories as cheap labour. They worked long hours, performed dangerous or hazardous tasks, and were often unable to attend school. From the 1830s, the cantons gradually introduced compulsory education. In 1877, the Federal Factory Act banned children under 14 from working. Nevertheless, children were still kept busy, whether in the home or in agriculture. The exhibition looks at how children in forced foster care and institutions were forcibly taken from their families and made to work. It also highlights those who campaigned for children’s education and protection and considers the topic from a modern-day perspective.
Image (detail): Fetching fresh water from a spring, Unteriberg Schwyz, 1947 © Theo Frey / Fotostiftung Schweiz
Guided tour of the exhibition "Born into poverty — Child labourers".
Tour: 1 hour
Guided tours can be arranged outside opening hours: Mon between 9.30 am and 6 pm, Tue to Fri between 9.30 am and 7.45 pm. Sat and Sun between 10 am and 5 pm
| Registration: |
2 weeks in advance |
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Duration: |
60 minutes; special packages can be offered on request |
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Group size: |
max. 25 participants per tour |
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Languages: |
English, German, Italian, French. Other offers upon request. |
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Cost: |
CHF 180 for the guided tour + CHF 10 admission per person Children up to 16 years free. For groups of persons with permit N, S, F, the guided tour and admission are free of charge. |
Monday till Friday 09:00 - 12:30
Guided tour of the exhibition "Born into poverty — Child labourers".
1 hour
Guided tours are free of charge for school classes from Switzerland.
Guided tours in English can be arranged, even outside opening hours. Guided tours are free of charge for school classes from Switzerland.
| Booking: |
at least 2 weeks in advance |
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Duration: |
1 hour guided tours, other services by prior arrangement |
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Group size: |
max. 25 people |
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Cost: |
Guided tours for school classes from Switzerland are free of charge. |
Monday till Friday 09:00 - 12:30
There will be no media conference for this exhibition.
Please contact the media service for individual appointments, guided tours and/or interviews.
The media kit with the photo material will be available for download here from 17.12.2025.
