Grubenmann-Museum, Engineering museum in Teufen, Switzerland

The Grubenmann Museum is a technology museum in Teufen housed in a former military building that displays wooden scale models and technical drawings. The collection documents how engineers designed bridges and buildings by joining wood in ways that allowed them to span long distances without intermediate supports.

The Grubenmann Collection was begun by architect Rosmarie Nüesch-Gautschi (1928–2022) and is devoted to the builders Jakob (1694–1758), Johannes (1707–1771) and Hans Ulrich Grubenmann (1709–1783). In 1979 the municipality of Teufen opened a library and local museum in the old railway station, where part of the collection went on permanent display. The Grubenmann Collection foundation was created in 2007 to establish a museum in the restored armoury, and the building reopened in June 2012 as a centre for building and culture.

The museum is named after the Teufen master builders Jakob (1694–1758), Johannes (1707–1771) and Hans Ulrich Grubenmann (1709–1783). Their collection, begun by architect Rosmarie Nüesch-Gautschi (1928–2022), includes wooden models of bridges and roof trusses plus woodworking tools. Since 2022 the Zeughaus has also shown works from the Appenzell Ausserrhoden cantonal art collection in a former office turned cabinet.

The museum occupies a historic building with clearly marked pathways that make it easy to navigate the exhibits. Plan to spend enough time viewing the models and drawings carefully so you can appreciate the craftsmanship and engineering details on display.

Three brothers from the Grubenmann family became famous for revolutionary methods they used to construct wooden structures that seemed nearly impossible at the time. The collection shows how carefully they planned each joint and connection to achieve unusually long spans.