Kemin historiallinen museo

About the museum

The Kemi Historical Museum operates in the Kemi Culture Centre on Marina Takalon katu, next to the library and the art museum. The first steps of museum activity in Kemi were taken in the late 19th century. The museum aims to promote the culture of Kemi and of western Lapland and to strengthen the cultural identity of the region.

The permanent collection exhibition Meren ja joen kaupunki (City of Sea and River) presents the history of Kemi and its surrounding areas through ten main themes and several sub-themes. Topics include prehistory up to the founding of the town, the wood and paper industry with its workers’ housing, factories and sawmills, and the effects of the Lapland War on the people of Kemi. The Kemijoki section tells of log-driving and fishing, and the harbour section of the history of seafaring. The section depicting a shopping street includes, among other things, a police station and a hairdresser’s from the 1950s and 1960s. Fifteen touchscreens provide further information on the themes.

The museum also includes the Yli-Jaakheikki smoke cabin in Meripuisto, which is open in summer, as well as the Suomen Kähertäjämuseo and the Työläismuseo (Workers’ Museum) in the Marttala museum area, which are open by arrangement.

Highlights

• Permanent exhibition Meren ja joen kaupunki (City of Sea and River)
• Shopping street: police station and a hairdresser’s from the 1950s and 1960s
• Fifteen touchscreens
• Exhibition texts in Finnish and English, with QR codes also in Swedish, German and Russian
• Free admission

Permanent exhibition

• Meren ja joen kaupunki – The permanent collection exhibition presents the history of Kemi and its surrounding areas from prehistory to the age of industry, the Lapland War, the Kemijoki river and the harbour.

Operated by

Kemin kaupunki

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Admission is free for everyone.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom
• 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

The exhibition spaces are accessible for people with reduced mobility. The museum has an induction loop, a wheelchair can be borrowed, and there are seats in the exhibition area.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

The museum is located in the Kemi Culture Centre, next to the library and the art museum.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop

The culture centre has a café, and the museum has a museum shop.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit