Sust local museum

Nestled in the charming town of Horgen, Switzerland, the Sust local museum (Sust Museum Horgen) stands as a testament to the rich cultural and historical tapestry of the region. This captivating museum, housed in a building of national significance, offers visitors a unique journey through time, showcasing the evolution of trade, architecture, and daily life in Horgen and its surrounding areas.

The History of the Sust

The history of the Sust building dates back to the early 16th century, with its first mention recorded in 1527. However, historical evidence suggests that a goods transshipment point existed in Horgen as early as the 14th century. The Sust's development is closely intertwined with the burgeoning trade routes to Inner Switzerland and the opening of the Gotthard Pass around 1200. The strategic location of Horgen, along the vital trade axis from Graubünden over the Walensee and Zürichsee towards Basel and the Upper Rhine, made it a crucial hub for merchants and travelers.

In 1406, the city of Zürich acquired Horgen as a Habsburg pawn and established an Obervogtei, which was directly administered from Zürich. This administration played a pivotal role in maintaining the trade route over the Horgenberg to the customs station at Babenwaag. The first documented interest in regulating trade in Horgen dates back to 1452, following the turmoil of the old Zürich war, although the Sust itself was not explicitly mentioned at that time.

The Evolution of the Sust

By the early 16th century, the responsibility for goods transshipment in Horgen lay in private hands. This changed on September 19, 1527, when the city of Zürich purchased a house from Mr. Bürgi in the Ow (Au). This property, situated between the lake, the main road, and the village stream, included a wine press and vineyard. Zürich established the Sust here, enhancing the area further in 1557 by acquiring an adjacent building that served as a customs house. The Sustknecht stationed there was responsible for collecting and recording customs duties, earning a salary of 5% of the collected fees and enjoying residence rights in the Sust. The goods subject to customs duties included wine, cider, fruit, grain, salt, cheese, butter, iron, paper, household items, and merchant goods.

The first known Sustknecht was Jos Riser, whose family held the position for several generations. In 1623, Zürich introduced a Sustbüchlein (Sust booklet) that documented the basic activities of the Sust master, the resolution of disputes, and personnel changes. The Sustknecht delivered several dozen pounds to Zürich annually. In 1692, Zürich appointed Heinrich Meyer as the Sust master, following alleged misconduct by the previous Sust master, Abraham Hüni. Christoph Füssli succeeded Meyer in 1697, and his family managed the Sust in Horgen until the early 19th century, with some members also engaging in artistic endeavors.

The Decline and Transformation

With the liberalization and modernization of political and economic systems in 1831, the Sust's importance as a goods transshipment point waned. In 1835, the government abolished internal customs duties, rendering the Sust in Horgen obsolete as an official station. The expanding road network facilitated direct connections from Zürich to Central Switzerland. In the summer of 1835, the state sold the Sust building, along with its garden, harbor, and equipment, to the municipality of Horgen for 4,720 francs. The purchase amount was recorded as a debt with a 4% interest rate, which Horgen repaid through harbor maintenance until 1870.

After 1835, the Sust was leased out and used as a warehouse. The limited utility for the municipality is evident from the fact that secondary school classes were temporarily held in one or two rooms from 1838 to 1845. The cold, drafty conditions and noise from the goods transshipment hampered teaching. After the school moved to a new location in 1845, the Sust increasingly served as a residential building. The construction of the left-bank railway line in 1875 further diminished the Sust's economic role, as the railway cut the building off from the village. The Sust gradually faded from public consciousness.

The Birth of the Museum

The first initiatives for a local museum emerged in 1882, with the establishment of the Chronicle Commission and the creation of the local chronicle. However, it took 75 years for these efforts to come to fruition. In the 1920s, teacher Heinrich Brunner championed the cause of a local museum. As a member of the Chronicle Commission and a contributor to the Anzeiger des Bezirks Horgen, he rallied the Horgen community to donate suitable exhibition items, forming a small collection at the Baumgärtli schoolhouse.

Smaller exhibitions in the local savings bank's display window promoted Horgen's history. Brunner eventually secured the former accommodation room of the local air raid protection unit at the Baumgärtli schoolhouse for his growing collection. The municipal council acquired a valuable and documented collection of old weapons, and a clearance action ordered by the authorities at the beginning of World War II unearthed noteworthy items.

The Sust Museum Horgen Today

The enthusiasm for historical preservation peaked during Horgen's 1,000-year celebrations in 1952, bolstering efforts to establish a permanent local museum. Artist Hugo Wiesmann organized a historical parade by water and land, while artist Fritz Zbinden curated a local history exhibition in the new secondary school gymnasiums. The Chronicle Commission published a history of Horgen written by renowned historian Paul Kläui.

In 1954, the Chronicle Commission was dissolved with the government's approval, and the Foundation for the Local Museum and Chronicle of the Municipality of Horgen was established. Various Horgen industrialists and private donors financially supported the endeavor. The municipality allocated parts of the Sust building for the museum, which officially opened on November 9, 1957, initially limited to three furnished rooms and managed by a volunteer board. Later, the municipality made the entire Sust building available to the museum. After major renovations in the 1960s, the Sust was equipped with central heating, allowing year-round operation. A comprehensive renovation in 2020-2021 modernized the museum to meet contemporary standards and regulations, incorporating the building itself as part of the museum's narrative.

Today, the Sust local museum stands as a vibrant cultural landmark, inviting visitors to explore the rich history and heritage of Horgen. From its origins as a bustling trade hub to its transformation into a cherished museum, the Sust local museum offers a fascinating glimpse into the past, making it a must-visit destination for history enthusiasts and curious travelers alike.