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Nestle museum celebrates past, looks toward future
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IN honor of its 150th anniversary, Swiss food giant Nestle opened a museum and discovery center in June in Vevey, at the site where the company was born.
Known simply as “the nest,” the museum “is a link between the past, the present and the future of Nestle,” said its director, Catherine Saurais, at an inauguration event.
“What the nest offers is a special way to revisit our own history, to examine the questions involving food production in today’s world and to explore the future of nutrition,” Saurais said.
The company’s story began when Henri Nestle invented his first infant cereal in 1886. He tested various combinations of cow’s milk, wheat flavor and sugar, all in an effort to save infants whose mothers were unable to breastfeed. The story has continued over a century and a half of growth.
Nestles executives say the story will continue for many years to come as the company enhances its competitiveness.
Inside the nest, there are also a café, a terrace, a gift shop and a square where a huge “handmade” tree symbolizing the roots of Nestle in Vevey.
Part One
As visitors enter the museum they are greeted by a special character – a bird from the 19th century which will accompany them on a journey through time. The bird move from room to room, as visitors learn more about Nestle’s humble beginning.
By combining shadow plays and magic lanterns, the reality of the 19th century is revived. At that time, life was difficult and many people moved to cities for more opportunities. Among them was Henri Nestle, who valued patience, precision, loyalty and a sense of quality.
This immersive tour features original objects from the 19th century. The visit includes a peek into the laboratory where Nestle once worked, which was realistically reconstituted with period furnishings discovered at a nearby pharmacy.
Part Two
The next floor introduces visitors to the history of Nestle. There’s a library filled with drawers where visitors can discover images, anecdotes and treasures of Nestle.
The exhibits here focus on the company’s history within the context of major world events. For instance, visitors can discover that during the baby-boom that followed World War II, Nestle developed a range of instant food products like Nesquik and Maggi. Also on view is an original can of Farine Lactee, Henri Nestle’s first invention, the first bottle of Maggi seasoning as well tins of Nescafe instant coffee, invented in Vevey in 1938.
Part Three
This section represents the company today. The space has a special room with a large multimedia table in the center of four walls illustrating Nestle’s various commitments. Visitors can choose a small object that represents challenges regarding food in our age. Five themes are explored: production, environment, farming, water management and nutrition. Through an interactive display, visitors can explore these important themes and understand how Nestle is contributing to meeting related challenges.
Part Four
Visitors can take a leap into the future in this section, built on a platform lifted several meters above the ground. The structure encourages contemplation and exploration with interactive experiences looking at the future, nutrition and well-being. There’s a body-scanning activity where visitors can discover how a wide range of foods impact the body, organ by organ. For kids, this is a fun way to understand how the body absorbs nutrients.
The nest is only a short stroll from the Vevey train station and the town center. It opens from 10am to 6pm in summertime and 10am to 5pm in winter. Admission is free.
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