Opened in 1995, the Hoosesaggmuseum in Imbergässlein is the smallest museum in Basel. It consists of a single display case. The name comes from the fact that every item on display fits into a trouser pocket.
Museum building
The museum is located in the city center of Basel, in the Vergeat family home. The house bears the name "Zum großen Christoffel" and is over 675 years old. It was first mentioned in a chronicle in 1345 and survived the Basel earthquake of 1356 eleven years later. A depiction of St. Christopher with the baby Jesus adorns the outside of the house. According to legend, the city's first midwife once lived here.
Location and origin
The central location around the Nadelberg was the decisive reason for transforming the glass window of the front door into a small museum. Every day, hundreds of tourists and passers-by, as well as numerous guided tours of the town, pass by the house "Zum großen Christoffel". The interest in taking a look inside the old house is great and was made possible by the small window in the door. Instead of covering the window to block the view, the residents opted for a different solution: they converted the window into a "shutter". This was a mini store where small items could be sold and purchased. The city marketing organization Basel Tourismus also took notice. Now many city tours stop at the old house to take a look at the small museum. Admission is not possible!
Museum concept
However, the "window store" concept did not go well. The people who came by were curious, but too shy to ring the doorbell and buy one of the items on display. A short time later, the "window store" was converted into a museum. The Vergeats are passionate collectors and began to display their larger and smaller collections in the window. It is just a small display case that can usually be viewed in less than five minutes, but the small museum quickly became an attraction. Many passers-by became aware of it and wanted to see more of it or exhibit it themselves.
Collection
Eight collections are exhibited in the small shop window for one month each year, depending on the season, including pillboxes, sunglasses, toy airplanes and cowbells. A collection of red London bus models was presented to coincide with the 2012 Olympic Games in London. Anyone with a collection of at least 30 pieces can exhibit. The window is then designed by the Vergeats themselves.
