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Today

10:00 - 17:00

Opening times

Museum, boutique and bistro

  • openinghours.days.long.tuesday Open till openinghours.days.long.wednesday openinghours.openfromto.long

  • openinghours.days.long.thursday openinghours.openfromto.long

  • openinghours.days.long.friday Open till openinghours.days.long.sunday openinghours.openfromto.long

  • openinghours.days.long.monday closed

Library

  • openinghours.days.long.tuesday Open till openinghours.days.long.wednesday openinghours.and openinghours.days.long.friday openinghours.openfromto.long

  • openinghours.days.long.thursday openinghours.openfromto.long

  • openinghours.days.long.saturday Open till openinghours.days.long.monday closed

Special opening times

  • Whitsun 08.06.2025 10:00 - 17:00

  • Whit Monday 09.06.2025 10:00 - 17:00

  • Swiss National Holiday 01.08.2025 10:00 - 17:00

  • Long Night of the Museums 06.09.2025 10:00 - 17:00
    18:00 - 23:59

  • Long Night of the Museums 07.09.2025 0:00 - 2:00
    10:00 - 17:00

  • Knabenschiessen 15.09.2025 closed

  • Family Day 19.10.2025 10:00 - 17:00

  • 22.12.2025 10:00 - 17:00

  • 23.12.2025 10:00 - 17:00

  • Christmas Eve 24.12.2025 10:00 - 14:00

  • Christmas 25.12.2025 10:00 - 17:00

  • St. Stephen´s Day 26.12.2025 10:00 - 17:00

  • 27.12.2025 10:00 - 17:00

  • 28.12.2025 10:00 - 17:00

  • 29.12.2025 10:00 - 17:00

  • 30.12.2025 10:00 - 17:00

  • New Year´s Eve 31.12.2025 10:00 - 17:00

  • New Year´s Day 01.01.2026 10:00 - 19:00

  • Saint Berchtold 02.01.2026 10:00 - 17:00

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Today

10:00 - 17:00

Opening times

Museum, boutique and bistro

  • openinghours.days.long.tuesday Open till openinghours.days.long.wednesday openinghours.openfromto.long

  • openinghours.days.long.thursday openinghours.openfromto.long

  • openinghours.days.long.friday Open till openinghours.days.long.sunday openinghours.openfromto.long

  • openinghours.days.long.monday closed

Library

  • openinghours.days.long.tuesday Open till openinghours.days.long.wednesday openinghours.and openinghours.days.long.friday openinghours.openfromto.long

  • openinghours.days.long.thursday openinghours.openfromto.long

  • openinghours.days.long.saturday Open till openinghours.days.long.monday closed

Special opening times

  • Whitsun 08.06.2025 10:00 - 17:00

  • Whit Monday 09.06.2025 10:00 - 17:00

  • Swiss National Holiday 01.08.2025 10:00 - 17:00

  • Long Night of the Museums 06.09.2025 10:00 - 17:00
    18:00 - 23:59

  • Long Night of the Museums 07.09.2025 0:00 - 2:00
    10:00 - 17:00

  • Knabenschiessen 15.09.2025 closed

  • Family Day 19.10.2025 10:00 - 17:00

  • 22.12.2025 10:00 - 17:00

  • 23.12.2025 10:00 - 17:00

  • Christmas Eve 24.12.2025 10:00 - 14:00

  • Christmas 25.12.2025 10:00 - 17:00

  • St. Stephen´s Day 26.12.2025 10:00 - 17:00

  • 27.12.2025 10:00 - 17:00

  • 28.12.2025 10:00 - 17:00

  • 29.12.2025 10:00 - 17:00

  • 30.12.2025 10:00 - 17:00

  • New Year´s Eve 31.12.2025 10:00 - 17:00

  • New Year´s Day 01.01.2026 10:00 - 19:00

  • Saint Berchtold 02.01.2026 10:00 - 17:00

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Temporary exhibition

Born of necessity Child workers

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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.

Symbolic image of the exhibition 'Born of necessity. Child workers'.  Copyright: Hans Staub / Fotostiftung Schweiz | © Hans Staub / Fotostiftung Schweiz