The Early Years
Founded in 1928, the Archaeology Society Zug is one of the oldest societies in the canton and carried at that time the name Society for the Promotion of Prehistorical Research in the Canton of Zug. In the same year, the canton council decided the establishment of a Fund for Prehistorical Research as well as a museum for prehistory. The 1920’s and 1930’s in general were a fruitful time for the archaeology of the Canton of Zug. The most prominent figure was the merchant Michael Speck (1880-1969) whose discoveries, excavations and vast private collection was met with interest from both the population and government.
The Beginning of the Museum of Prehistory
The Museum of Prehistory, based in the basement of the former canton school Athene opposite today’s location, opened its doors on 9th November 1930. As the museum steadily grew, it moved into the bigger and brighter rooms of the former cigar factory at Ägeristrasse 56 in 1946. In the 1950’s, Michael Speck’s son Josef took over the honorary position of the museum’s counselling as well as the continuation of the research on the canton’s prehistory and early history. On top of that, Josef Speck managed the Association of Prehistory for decades.
Onward into the future
The Office of Archaeology became institutionalised. Additionally, the canton took over more and more responsibility of the museum and thus enabled an effective didactical update. As the foundation was dissolved in 1988, a reorganisation of the association became possible and continued under the new name of Association of Pre- and Early History of Zug. It was Irmgard Bauer, the museum’s first curator, and her team that brought new energy and motivation, making a good collaboration with the Office of Archaeology possible that resulted in the opening of the new Museum of Prehistory at Hofstrasse 15 in 1997. Thanks to the museum’s family-friendly concept and the professionality of the Office of the Preservation of Ancient Monuments and Archaeology, it had been possible to promote and strengthen the population’s interest.
From Prehistory to Modernity
On the occasion of the general meeting in the year 2016, a change of name and statutes was proposed. In addition to prehistory and early history, the association would hereafter also occupy itself with the archaeology of the Middle Ages and modernity as well as cultural monuments. Ever since 2017, the association presents itself as Archaeological Society Zug.