The general inventory has been successfully completed. Between 2021 and 2025, the 435,000 objects in our collection were fully recorded, documented and checked for conservation measures.
All objects in the museum's nine depots and three exhibition buildings are registered, located, photographed, measured, recorded in terms of their condition and linked directly to the collection database via QR codes. This provides us with an excellent data basis for further work with the collection.
The general inventory was completed within the planned timeframe and budget.
The original estimate of 300,000 collection items was significantly exceeded. This is mainly due to a more precise recording system: multi-part objects – such as a tea service – are now consistently recorded as several individual objects within a single data record in order to ensure completeness and traceability of condition in the long term.
The general inventory dates back to the operational analysis conducted in summer 2019. The analysis concluded that the Historical Museum cannot fulfil its basic mandate with the funds and resources currently available. One of the Historical Museum's key tasks is to carefully catalogue and preserve the collection in accordance with international standards. In doing so, it must fulfil its legal mandate (Section 3 of the Museums Act) and protect Basel's unique cultural and historical heritage from damage or even loss. For this reason, both the Government Council and the Grand Council approved the planned course of action and authorised a total of CHF 6.62 million over five years from 2021 to 2025.
Marc Zehntner, Director of Basel Historical Museum
‘Following the general inventory, all objects are digitally recorded and can be searched, compared and researched both internally and by external researchers. In February 2026, we will begin the new “Online Collection” project. The aim is to make the entire collection accessible to the public.’
General inventory at Basel Historical Museum
2021 – 2025
Management & administration
PO box | Steinenberg 4
CH-4001 Basel
Office opening hours
8:30 – 12 AM | 13:30 – 17 PM
Reception: +41 61 205 86 00
historisches.museum(at)bs.ch
