Schulmuseum Bern

A «Historische Lernwelt», a «SchulSchaulager» and a «Forschungswerkstatt» – these are the three pillars of the Schulmuseum Bern in Köniz. 

It is the largest Swiss institution dedicated to the history of education from the 17th century onward. Its collection encompasses approximately 80’000 objects, which are being preserved and made accessible to the public in the newly created SchulSchaulager. By way of collection, research, presentation and communication, the Schulmuseum Bern aims to foster a universal understanding of the cultural heritage of school. 

With the creation of the SchulSchaulager, an open storage facility and showroom, 80’000 objects from five centuries of school culture have been made accessible to the public. It provides an ideal platform for interactive exhibitions and participative communication, alongside a treasure trove for researchers. 

Schulmuseum Bern
A look back at time
150 years of class photos
until Mo, 21.12.2026
Workshop
Schulmuseum Bern
The postal service 60 years ago
Encounters with former PTT employees
until Mo, 21.12.2026
Workshop
Schulmuseum Bern
S-J-W Magazines that shape the minds of Swiss young people
Le contenu des brochures SJW reflète la manière dont la Suisse se représente sa jeunesse.
until Tu, 31.08.2027
Workshop

The publications of the Swiss Youth Literature Foundation (SJW) have been around for almost 100 years. For decades, they played an important role in reading and classroom instruction throughout Switzerland, and new titles continue to be published today. Using selected SJW publications, participants embark on a journey of discovery: What knowledge and values were conveyed through these publications? The workshop invites participants to reflect on and discuss the ways in which their school years have shaped them.

 

Further information and registration

 

Schulmuseum Bern
A Journey through the School's History
Guided tour
until Th, 31.08.2028
Schulmuseum Bern
historic lesson
Back to the school desk – just like in the old days.
until Tu, 31.08.2027
Workshop

Participants step into the role of schoolchildren from times gone by, while teachers use the teaching methods of the period. With slate pencils, slates and historical lesson content, the history of schooling comes vividly to life in a historic classroom and encourages discussion about changing educational goals and values.

 

Further information and registration

 

Schulmuseum Bern
Eternal White
The Pencil as a Global Object: Other Spaces – School, Migration and the World
Sa, 28.11.2026 – Sa, 10.04.2027
Exhibition

For their project at the Schulmuseum Bern, the artist duo Michael Meier & Christoph Franz explore one of the oldest writing instruments still regularly used in schools today: the pencil. In their work, Meier & Franz trace connections between trade routes, colonial histories and cultural identities. They examine the migration and appropriation of knowledge and goods, as well as their transformation into symbols of Alpine culture and the historical roots from which these symbols emerged.

 

Further information

 

Schulmuseum Bern
2025 Tintenfass Prize Award Ceremony
Swiss Prize for the History of Education
Sa, 28.11.2026
Award Ceremony

The Schulmuseum Bern is awarding the Tintenfass Prize – Swiss Prize for the History of Education – for the sixth time. The prize honours an original contribution to the dissemination of scholarly research in the history of schooling, education and pedagogy. The 2025 Tintenfass Prize is awarded to Michael Egger for his work "Ein lesendes Volk – Alphabetisierung, Lesestoffe und Volksbildung" ("A Nation of Readers – Literacy, Reading Materials and Popular Education").

 

The award will be presented, and the laudatory address delivered, by Professor Emeritus Dr Lucien Criblez, Co-Head of the Research Department at the Schulmuseum Bern.

 

Schulmuseum Bern
SchulSchaulager
new permanent exhibition
Permanent exhibition