Grubenmann-Museum im Zeughaus Teufen

About the museum

The museum is dedicated to the Grubenmann family of master builders from Teufen, who became known in the 18th century for long-span timber structures for bridges and churches as well as for stately residential houses. In particular the brothers Jakob, Johannes and Hans Ulrich (1709–1783) shaped timber construction in eastern Switzerland and the Lake Constance region. Their bridges did not survive the Napoleonic wars; their churches and townhouses were preserved, but the master builders themselves were barely remembered for a long time.

That changed after 1941, when the engineer Josef Killer published his dissertation on the family. At the commemoration of the 250th birthday of Hans Ulrich Grubenmann in 1959, the young architect Rosmarie Nüesch-Gautschi presented a first exhibition. On behalf of Pro Helvetia it grew into a travelling exhibition for technical universities in West Germany, whose material laid the foundation for the Grubenmann collection.

This collection was opened in 1979 in the centre of Teufen and was continually expanded by Rosmarie Nüesch-Gautschi as a technical and historical documentation centre; in 2013 she received the Kulturpreis for it. Since 2012 the Grubenmann Museum has been housed in the former arsenal. On the upper floor it shows models, plans, pictures and documents on the family's work; the Zeughaus Teufen also serves as a centre for building culture and architecture education.

Highlights

• Models, plans and documents on the timber bridges and church buildings of the Grubenmanns
• Life and work of Hans Ulrich Grubenmann (1709–1783)
• Permanent exhibition on the upper floor of the former arsenal
• Centre for building culture and architecture education

Permanent exhibition

• Grubenmann-Museum – On the upper floor of the former arsenal, models, plans, pictures and documents show the life and work of the Grubenmann family of master builders and their timber structures for churches, bridges and residential houses.

Founded

1979

Operated by

Stiftung Grubenmann-Sammlung

Admission & discounts

Free admission with the Museumspass, SWB card, ICOM membership card, Raiffeisen card and OSKAR, and for members of the "Freunde des Grubenmann-Museums". Payment in cash, with SumUp (no Postcard) or TWINT; for guided tours and events also by invoice.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

According to the museum, all rooms are equipped for people with disabilities; the reception and attic floors are reachable by lift, and special preparations can be made on request. Gender-separated toilets in the basement; a suitable Eurokey is available at reception.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops

Together with the cultural education organisation Ostschweiz kklick there are workshops and tours for children, young people and families, e.g. "Bridges Tell Stories", "Plan Stories" and "Klötzli hin – Klötzli her"; children's programmes are also part of the holiday pass of the City of St. Gallen.

Getting there & parking

Address: Zeughausplatz 1, 9053 Teufen; the website links to a route planner.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties

The large room on the ground floor is available to clubs, interest groups and private individuals; rooms on the middle and attic floors can also be hired (reservation via the municipality of Teufen, price list available for download).

Plan your visit