In 1888 Basel unsuccessfully offered the Barfüsserkirche as the location for the National Museum. The church then went through a conversion with narrow aisles, new wooden ceiling and steep gables, as well as a vault in the chancel. In 1894 the Historisches Museum Basel opened. From the 1930s onwards, damage from salt in the building’s foundations showed, which grew dangerously up until 1964. From 1975 to 1981 necessary renovations were undertaken and a basement added. This resulted in the western front regaining its original appearance.