Collection and conservation

Researching provenance – that is, the origin of an object – provides valuable insight into its historical context. The HMB is gradually researching its collection.

The Conservation Department at the Basel Historical Museum is responsible for the preservation and technical research of the collection, which is kept in three museum buildings and nine depots.

The general inventory has been successfully completed. Between 2021 and 2025, the 435,000 objects in our collection were fully recorded, documented and assessed for conservation.

The collection forms the heart of the HMB. In recognition of our own collection tradition, the concept provides the framework for the respectful and sustainable management of the existing collection and for its conscious and targeted expansion.

The Historisches Museum Basel advocates the open government data culture and supports the government’s legislative objectives. The accession registers serve as the foundation and reference for the collection.