Stiftung HAM – Fahrzeugsammlung Burgdorf

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.

The vehicle collection, with more than 500 objects, is housed in three halls at the AMP Burgdorf (army motor vehicle park). It includes horse-drawn wagons from the 19th century as well as lorries and ships, right up to the modern battle tank that is still in service today. Represented are tanks, armoured personnel carriers, self-propelled howitzers, construction machinery, light wheeled vehicles and trailers, lorries, snow-clearing vehicles, motorcycles, bicycles, fourgons (horse-drawn supply wagons) and ships; a dedicated workshop keeps vehicles in working order or restores them.

The collection tells the story of motorisation in the Swiss Army and the associated history of the Swiss lorry, tractor and motorcycle industries, which no longer exist today.

Highlights

• Chronicle of motorisation in the Swiss Army
• History of the Swiss lorry, tractor and motorcycle industries, which no longer exist
• More than 500 vehicles, from 19th-century horse-drawn wagons to a battle tank still in active service
• Army lorries, motorcycles, construction machinery, snow-clearing vehicles and ships
• Free guided tours of two to three hours

Permanent exhibition

• Fahrzeugsammlung – More than 500 vehicles in three halls, from 19th-century horse-drawn wagons to lorries, motorcycles and ships and the modern battle tank. Further collections of the Stiftung HAM are shown at the Schaulager Thun and in the collection of historic tanks in the Thun barracks.

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

The guided tours are free of charge.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: not available
• 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

Wheelchair accessible; there is no accessible toilet.

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

From the town of Burgdorf, take the Heimiswilstrasse towards Heimiswil and follow the yellow signs “Militärbetriebe”; about 200 m after crossing the Emme, turn right into the Militärstrasse. After about 500 m, report at the reception lodge.

Amenities & 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