Harjumaa Muuseum
County museum in the main building of the Keila manor, whose permanent exhibition “Harju elu” (Life in Harju) tells the history of Harju County from prehistory to the present day.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The prehistory of the Harju County Museum begins in autumn 1985, when a group of local history and heritage-protection enthusiasts gathered in Keila and founded the Keila Heritage Protection Society. The museum was officially founded on 30 August 1988 and began work in early 1989 in seven rooms of the former Keila manor house.
Today the museum uses almost the whole of the main building of the Keila manor, built in the 19th century, which stands on an island in the Keila river within the historic manor park. Nearby are Orjakivi, the ruins of a medieval small fortress, and the winding Keila river. The first permanent exhibition opened in 1991; the present permanent exhibition, “Harju elu”, was completed after the building was renovated in 2005.
The museum collects, researches and presents the heritage of Harju County, advises the county’s small museums, and organises temporary exhibitions and educational events. The branch of the Harju County Museum is the Amandus Adamson Studio Museum in Paldiski.
Highlights
- Permanent exhibition “Harju elu” (Life in Harju), from the coastal farm and forest to wars and industry
- Listening points for the organ of Taniil Kriis and the telephone exchange of Riisipere
- Large pot found during trial excavations at Padise Monastery
- Model of the town of Keila from 1938
- Play room for children and audio guide in five languages
Permanent exhibition
- Harju elu – The history of Harju County from prehistory to the present day: coastal farm, seashore and forest, workshop, religious life, school, society life, wars and resistance, and industry and services; photographs, documents and objects from Vihterpalu to Viinistu.
- Founded
- 1988
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €5 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €3 |
| Children & teens | freefree up to age 19 · Young people up to 19 years old enter free. |
| Visitors with disabilities | freecompanion free · Children with disabilities and adults on the basis of a pension certificate, and their companions, enter free. |
| Combined ticket: Harju County Museum + Amandus Adamson Studio Museum | €7Reduced combined ticket for pupils, students and pensioners €4; valid until the end of the calendar year. |
| Guided tour (about 1 hour) | €10Added to the ticket price. |
Free admission: International Museum Day (18 May) and the birthday of the Harju County Museum (30 August).
Also free: accompanying teachers of pupil and kindergarten groups (one accompanying adult per ten children), the accompanying person of a tour group, members of the guides’ association, museum staff, members of ICOM and the Estonian Museums Association, history teachers, holders of the Harju County Museum Friends Card, and persons who were repressed. Payment can be made in cash or by card.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible
- Elevator
- Accessible restroom
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
The entrance is by a ramp on the left side of the main door; wheelchairs or pushchairs that are wider must phone so that the second door of the main entrance can be opened. A lift leads to the ground floor (permanent exhibition, temporary exhibition hall, library, children’s play room); the lift has room for one wheelchair user with a companion. There is an accessible toilet in the foyer.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 19 |
|---|
- Family tours & workshops
- Stroller-friendly
- Playground / play area
The museum has a separate play room for children, educational programmes and a learning centre.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Keila kirik
By train from Balti jaam or from Paldiski to Keila; buses 145, 146, 148 and 149 (on weekdays also 107) from Balti jaam via Vabaduse plats and Õismäe to the Keila Church stop. From the church it is a walk across the railway and the river bridge to Linnuse street.
By car
Free parking
Free car park and bicycle shelter at the museum.
By car from Tallinn: from Ülesõidu street turn left onto Jõe street and cross the river bridge to the end of Linnuse street.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Café
- Museum shop
The ticket office, café, museum shop and toilets are on the first floor.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes · approx. 60 min |
|---|---|
| Audio guide | yes (ET, FI, RU, EN, DE) |
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | The audio guide can be borrowed free of charge from the ticket office. Well-behaved dogs are welcome, on a lead or held in the arms. |