Naturmuseum Thurgau

About the museum

On 25 October 1859, the Thurgauische Naturforschende Gesellschaft (Thurgau Natural Science Society) decided to establish a natural history collection. It found its first permanent rooms in the Kantonsschule Frauenfeld in 1865 and was initially looked after as a school collection. In 1924, the Thurgauische Museumsgesellschaft set up the "Thurgauisches Museum" in the Luzernerhaus in the old town, with a natural history and a historical department; from 1936 to 1944, Olga Mötteli was the first woman in Switzerland to head a natural history museum.

In 1958, the canton of Thurgau took over the building and the collections, and the historical department moved to Frauenfeld Castle. After a comprehensive renovation, the "Naturmuseum des Kantons Thurgau" opened in 1972 with a new permanent exhibition. In 1996, the Museum of Archaeology was added in the neighbouring building, the former remand prison; the Archaeobotanical Museum Garden connects the two buildings.

Between 2004 and 2006, the upper floors were completely redesigned, and the permanent exhibition received the "Prix Expo" of the Swiss Academy of Sciences in 2007. In 2020, the museum was awarded the "Prix Museum". Today it sees itself as the canton's nature archive and as the central institution for environmental education in Thurgau.

Highlights

• Permanent exhibition "Natur vor der Haustüre" on three floors
• Beaver lodge and lifelike animal specimens
• Wood library and wax models of fruit varieties from around 1800
• "dussä": Thurgau relief with filmic landscape views
• Museum garden and free admission

Permanent exhibitions

• Dauerausstellung „Natur vor der Haustüre“ – On three floors, the focus is on the nature on our doorstep, its connections and its diversity, with animal specimens, a beaver lodge, a wood library and wax models of fruit varieties.
• dussä – Thurgauer Landschaft wirkt! – On the 2nd floor, a relief of Thurgau takes centre stage, surrounded by filmic landscape views showing how landscape affects people.

Founded

1972

Operated by

Kanton Thurgau

Director

Hannes Geisser

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Admission is free.

Accessibility

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

The building is largely barrier-free; access is from Promenadenstrasse through the museum garden. Wheelchair-accessible toilet on the ground floor, lift in the building. Assistance and guide dogs are allowed in the exhibition rooms; some exhibits can be touched, listened to or smelled.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Hands-on stations
• Stroller-friendly
• Baby changing facilities

Many parts of the exhibition hang at children's height; there are furs to stroke, a drawing table, torches and a telescope for spotting animals, and a family-tree puzzle. Throughout the year there are events for children and families in the joint programme "Museum für Kinder" of the cantonal museums. Prams can be left in the foyer, bicycle trailers in front of the entrance; changing table in the toilet in the foyer.

Getting there & parking

The museum is located in Frauenfeld's old town; barrier-free access through the museum garden from Promenadenstrasse.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Restaurant: not available
• Museum shop
• Coat check
• Lockers

Café Museumslaube with a small selection of drinks and snacks, no obligation to order. Museum shop with magnifying beakers, postcards, wooden animals, specialist books and children's books. Free lockers in the foyer.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent

The Museumslaube and the Wissenswerkstatt can be rented; registration required, prices on the website.

Plan your visit