Museum Zofingen

About the museum

Museum Zofingen opened in 1901 as the "Bibliothek-Museum Strähl-Fischer". Two friends made it possible: the merchant Gustav Rudolf Strähl donated 150,000 francs to the Ortsbürgergemeinde Zofingen and initiated the construction, while the naturalist Hermann Fischer-Sigwart contributed his natural history collections and became the first curator. The building on General-Guisan-Strasse, constructed from 1899 to 1901 as a museum and library, is characterised by the historicising Neo-Renaissance style. It is regarded as the oldest museum in the canton of Aargau.

The museum is run by the Ortsbürgergemeinde Zofingen, which is also responsible for the collections; the Einwohnergemeinde maintains the building. A museum committee supports the work of the small professional team, assisted by volunteers. The museum works according to the ethical guidelines of the International Council of Museums, ICOM.

The historical department shows weapons, fire-fighting equipment, measures and weights, potters' craft, and religion and death in the basement; on the ground floor it shows, among other things, the printing and publishing history of Ringier, the textile industry and Zofingia, the oldest student fraternity association in Switzerland. There are also a coin cabinet and finds from the town church. The natural history department keeps around 600 drawers and two storerooms full of specimens, minerals, fossils, pile-dwelling finds, herbaria and birds' eggs that Hermann Fischer-Sigwart and his successors gathered.

Highlights

• Oldest museum foundation in the canton of Aargau, building in the Neo-Renaissance style
• Ringier Museum with a printing press of 1873 and the Zofingia Museum
• Weapons, fire brigade and craft collections in the basement
• Natural history collection of Hermann Fischer-Sigwart with birds and fossils
• Free admission, puzzle trails for children

Permanent exhibitions

• Historische Abteilung – Military affairs, fire brigade, potters' craft, Ringier printing house, textile industry and Zofingia, plus a coin cabinet and burial finds from the town church.
• Naturhistorische Abteilung – Collections of archaeology, geology, minerals, botany, fossils, mammals and birds, including the collection of the first curator, Hermann Fischer-Sigwart.

Founded

1901

Operated by

Ortsbürgergemeinde Zofingen

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Admission is free; a voluntary donation is requested at the exit.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: not available
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

Historic building with old vaults, not fully wheelchair accessible, no passenger lift. If you have reduced mobility, please let us know in advance so that visiting options can be discussed. For people with visual or hearing impairments, individual support is available after prior contact. Assistance and guide dogs are welcome; other animals are not allowed.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide

Family afternoons about once a month, plus MiniMuseum for the youngest. Three free puzzle trails with six puzzles each lead children and families through the museum; the children's competition takes place every year in November.

Getting there & parking

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit