The museum as a museological object - The Pharmacy Museum at the University of Basel

Founded in 1925, the Pharmacy Museum of the University of Basel is the only museum in Switzerland dedicated to the History of Pharmacy. It houses a unique and extensive collection, with a focus on historical pharmaceuticals, pharmacy furniture, laboratory utensils, ceramics, instruments, books, art- and craftwork. It is located in the old-town of the city of Basel in a building which dates back to the late medieval times. It used to even be visited by the famous Swiss physician and alchemist Paracelsus in the 1520’s. Today, the city of Basel and its region are an international hub for the pharmaceutical industry. The history of the museum is connected to the developments of the pharmaceutical practices, sciences and industry in the 20th century, when they experienced fundamental changes. The Pharmacy Museum itself underwent major changes in the past two decades but has kept its historical exhibition mode, dating back to the first half of the 20th century, making it a historical object on its own. By placing the Museum into a framework of cultural, social and technological development, and treating the museum itself as a museological object of study, this article reflects the historical and contemporary position, function and structure of the Pharmacy Museum at the University of Basel.