Conversion in retrospect
Behind the scenes: 500 years of history, retold
Almost 500 years of history – and not a bit dusty!
To ensure that the Chüechlihus Regional Museum remains lively, curious and surprising in the future, the permanent exhibition has been redesigned. Since summer 2025, the entrance and intro area has had a new look and the permanent exhibition has been given a new lease of life. This has created space for new stories, unexpected perspectives and exciting encounters.
This page documents the exciting journey: from the initial plans through the construction work to the grand reopening on September 7, 2025.
Planning and vision
Ideas were collected, concepts developed and initial designs sketched out in advance. The aim was to modernize the permanent exhibition, reposition the entrance area and create new interior spaces that vividly convey the history, present and culture of the Emmental. There will be a greater focus on multimedia formats and public participation. In addition, the permanent exhibition is to be more compact in order to create space for future formats.
In the first room, visitors will be given an overview of the topics covered in the Chüechlihus regional museum. In addition, new and old stories that characterize the Emmental should be given a place. New multimedia formats such as a film and audios can open up new perspectives.
Designed together with you!
Many Emmental residents have supported us with the conversion: At the Langnau Märit, in the museum or online, they told us which people, places and sounds are typically Emmental for them. These voices and memories flow into the new rooms – and make the museum a place that shows the region as it really is: diverse, surprising and approachable. The public should also be able to have a say in how the museum and the exhibitions change in the future.
The places, sounds and people that were collected now have a place in the redesigned permanent exhibition. In this way, sounds submitted can be heard, stories about places can be experienced and surprising personalities can be seen.
The conversion
During the renovation work, historical objects were carefully removed from the rooms, some were temporarily stored in the depot and others were integrated into new locations. The Regional Museum team was supported by cultural conservationists and volunteers. New walls, installations and media formats such as audio contributions, film projections and interactive islands were set up – step by step, the new old Chüechlihus took shape. The museum remained closed for a month for the work.
The opening
The reopening of the Chüechlihus-Sunndig was officially celebrated on September 7, 2025. Visitors can now experience the redesigned permanent exhibition, the new entrance area and the two interior rooms – including the centerpiece, the animated film “Ds Ämmitau i mim Hus”. Even before the celebration, project participants and representatives from the world of politics were able to view the redesigned rooms. The atmosphere was exuberant and the new elements were met with enthusiasm. Stories were heard, films were watched and ideas were shared.
