Stiftung HAM – Schaulager Thun
Open storage of the Foundation for Historic Material of the Swiss Army in Thun, with army material from around 1800 to the present – from the soldier’s personal equipment to artillery; visits by guided tour only.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Stiftung HAM is the professional organisation responsible for the proper care of the historic army material assigned to it by the Swiss Confederation. It was founded in Thun on 23 July 2008 by the Verein Schweizer Armeemuseum (VSAM), after decades of plans for a dedicated army museum had been made obsolete by a parliamentary decision in 2000. It collects, stores, restores and documents the material as military-historical cultural heritage and shows it at three sites: the Schaulager Thun, the collection of historic tanks in the Thun barracks and the vehicle collection in Burgdorf.
As varied as the Swiss Army’s fields of deployment are, so varied are the Stiftung HAM’s open storage collections in Thun. They offer an insight into the material used by the army from around 1800 to the present day. The subject areas include uniforms and headgear, badges, weapons and ammunition, artillery, harness, lighting equipment, surveying and optical equipment, regulations, graphics and photographs, supply and kitchen equipment, office and field post material, and medical equipment.
One focus is the soldier’s personal equipment from 1848 to the present; among the items on display are the original uniforms of General Ulrich Wille and General Henri Guisan. The guided tours place the development of the Swiss Army in the context of European and world history.
Highlights
- The soldier’s personal equipment from 1848 to the present
- Original uniforms of General Wille and General Guisan
- Development of the Swiss Army in the context of European and world history
- Army material from around 1800 to the present, from uniforms and badges to artillery
- Free guided tours of about two hours
Permanent exhibition
- Schaulager Thun – Swiss Army material from around 1800 to the present, from the soldier’s personal equipment, uniforms and badges to artillery. Further collections of the Stiftung HAM show the historic tanks in the Thun barracks and the vehicle collection in Burgdorf.
- Operated by
- Stiftung Historisches Material der Schweizer Armee (Stiftung HAM)
Admission & discounts
Admission is free.
| Groups (6+ people) | –Group tours for 6 or more people, free of charge. |
|---|
The guided tours are free of charge.
Accessibility
- Partially wheelchair accessible
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom
- 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
Partly wheelchair accessible; an accessible toilet is available.
Kids & families
Only partly suitable for kidsRecommended for ages 12+
Only partly suitable for children; the foundation recommends visits from the age of 12.
Getting there & parking
By car, turn from the Allmendstrasse into the Regiestrasse, cross the Aare and turn left immediately before the Restaurant Bellevue; at the entrance gate, report by calling +41 58 468 45 12.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Café: not available
- Restaurant: not available
No catering or visitor services.
Events & venue rental
As far as we know, the museum does not rent out spaces for external events.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes · approx. 2 hrs |
|---|---|
| Good to know | The guided tour lasts about two hours. German, French or English can be chosen as the language when registering. According to the website, weapons and ammunition are temporarily not on view. The Stiftung HAM also shows the collection of historic tanks in the Thun barracks (meeting point Kaserne 237) and the vehicle collection in Burgdorf; both have their own entries. |
