Lapin metsämuseo

About the museum

The Lapin metsämuseo is located in Pöykkölä in Rovaniemi. From the 1960s onwards, buildings and structures related to forest history have been moved to the museum area from different parts of Lapland. The oldest buildings date from the early 20th century and the newest from the 1950s. The museum is maintained by the Lapin Metsämuseoyhdistys ry (Lapland Forest Museum Association).

The move of the Koivun uittopirtti (Koivu log-driving cabin), built in 1904, to the museum area in 1963 began a building period that continued for a couple of decades. Among the additions were a boat shelter, the steamboat Uitto 6, the Kemiyhtiö smoke sauna, the drivers’ cabin, the Luiron pirtti (Luiro cabin) and a machine shelter built to protect the Sandberg locomotive; the most recent building moved in was the log-driving warehouse in 1989.

The exhibitions tell of the development of the forest industry and lumberjack culture in Lapland up to the 1960s: from felling timber to log driving, from camp life and the camp mistress to industrialisation, which includes the Sandberg locomotive, also called the Samperi, and the development of the chainsaw. By the 2010s the collections comprised about 3,000 objects and 43,000 photographs.

Highlights

• The Sandberg or Samperi steam locomotive
• The camp mistress’s room
• Koivu log-driving cabin and log-driving buildings
• Development of the chainsaw
• About 14 museum buildings in the Pöykkölä area

Permanent exhibitions

• Kämppäemännän kammari – The exhibition tells of the life of the camp mistresses during the heyday of the timber camps and of the development of the camps.
• Ye Olde Chainsaws – The exhibition presents the development of the chainsaw in forest work.

Founded

1960

Operated by

Lapin Metsämuseoyhdistys ry

Admission & discounts

Veterans and children under 7 enter free of charge. Museokortti (Finnish Museum Card) is accepted. Payment is by cash or card. The admission fee for school groups other than those from Rovaniemi schools is €2 per pupil; pupils from Rovaniemi schools enter free of charge.

Accessibility

• Partially 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

Almost all buildings can be navigated by wheelchair, but some outdoor areas may be difficult to get around. Driving onto the museum area without permission is not allowed, but driving can be arranged on request for a visitor with reduced mobility.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

The museum is about 4.5 km from Rovaniemi city centre (about an hour on foot or 20 minutes by bicycle; most of the route runs on a cycle and pedestrian path). By car from the centre, cross the Jätkänkynttilä bridge and follow Kajaanintie until signs appear on the left-hand side of the road; the drive takes about 10 minutes.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop

A café operates in the agricultural building of the Virkatalo and serves small sweets. There is a small museum shop in the area. Visitors may eat their own food in the museum area.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent

The museum has a meeting room and takes room bookings.

Plan your visit