Raudtee- ja sidemuuseum

About the museum

The terminus of the railway built at the beginning of the 20th century to serve the Haapsalu spa, with its magnificent station building, is home to the Raudtee- ja sidemuuseum (Railway and Communications Museum). The museum was founded in 1979 and today belongs to SA Haapsalu ja Läänemaa Muuseumid (Haapsalu and Lääne County Museums), having previously been a branch of the Läänemaa Museum.

The exhibition in the station building presents the development of Estonian railways over almost one and a half centuries, and the ways and possibilities of exchanging information. Among the rolling stock on retirement, alongside the locomotives, you can meet, among other things, the station master and a luukeretelefon (skeleton telephone), and step into the vaksal (station hall) post agency. The communications exhibition has telephones, telegraphs, radio sets and televisions, and visitors can learn about the work of a post office, a working switchboard and the use of perforated tape (perfolint).

Climbing onto or entering the objects of the outdoor exhibition is forbidden. Excursion train “Peetrike” and draisine rides depart from the station; these are charged separately.

Highlights

• Former terminus of the Haapsalu spa railway and the magnificent station building
• Almost one and a half centuries of Estonian railway development
• Telegraphs, telephones, radios and televisions
• Skeleton telephone and a working switchboard
• Vaksal post agency and an outdoor exhibition of rolling stock

Permanent exhibition

• Raudtee- ja sideekspositsioon – The permanent exhibition presents the development of Estonian railways and the ways of exchanging information, from the telegraph and telephone to radio and television.

Founded

1979

Operated by

SA Haapsalu ja Läänemaa Muuseumid

Admission & discounts

Museum staff, conscripts, repressed persons, and members of ICOM and ICOMOS also enter free. The museum card is valid; pets are allowed. Tickets for the excursion train “Peetrike” and for the draisine rides are separate.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

All rooms of the museum can be visited by wheelchair, but accessibility is in places difficult. The heavy outer door is opened by the customer service staff; visiting with a companion is recommended. Help can be obtained by calling +372 473 4574.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

The museum is located in the Haapsalu railway station building on Raudtee Street.

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

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