Raahen museo

About the museum

The Raahen museo is Finland’s oldest local museum. Over the decades it has grown into a complex of seven sites, and the Pakkahuoneen museo (Customs Warehouse Museum) and the Kruununmakasiinimuseo (Crown Warehouse Museum) are open all year round.

The Pakkahuoneen museo operates in the city’s customs and warehouse building, built in 1848, where at one time there was also a seamen’s room (merimieshuone). The building has survived almost unchanged. The pakkahuone is called a museum within the museum, and it is to be preserved in its abundant form.

The core of the collections consists of objects donated in the 19th century: natural wonders brought from distant lands, utensils and exotic souvenirs. Later, cultural-historical objects relating to the history of the city of Raahe were gathered, such as women’s handicrafts, dishes and toys. The collections tell of Raahe as a town of seafarers and shipbuilders; they include sailing-ship models, ship paintings and navigation instruments, as well as a rare collection of wood carvings by Mikael Balt from Raahe’s first church, from the 17th century.

Highlights

• Finland’s oldest local museum
• Customs and warehouse building from 1848
• Collections from the age of sailing ships and ship models
• Wood carvings by Mikael Balt from the 17th century
• Children’s room with old toys

Permanent exhibition

• Pakkahuoneen museon näyttely – On display are objects from distant lands donated in the 19th century, collections from the age of sailing ships, Mikael Balt’s wood carvings from Raahe’s old church, and a children’s room with old toys.

Founded

1862

Operated by

Raahen kaupunki

Admission & discounts

Free admission: Admission is free on Saturdays to the Pakkahuoneen museo and the Kruununmakasiini.

Holders of the Kaikukortti enter the museums free of charge, and the Museokortti (Finnish Museum Card) is accepted. Payment methods: cash, bank and credit cards, Museokortti, Epassi and Edenred.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: not available
• Accessible restroom: not available
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The Pakkahuoneen museo is partly inaccessible: the rather steep stairs lead to the upper floor, and the thresholds on the lower floor are clearly visible, as in old buildings; the museum rooms on the lower floor are reached by a flight of two steps. The main door is two-part (55 cm open, 110 cm if needed), and the door has a 12 cm threshold. The ramp intended for entry is currently out of use, and a new ramp is coming. The public toilet is on the upper floor, which can only be reached by stairs. There is one accessible parking space in the car park about 10 m from the entrance. Spectacles, a torch, a magnifying glass and a rollator can be borrowed from the ticket desk; there is no induction loop. Assistance dogs and guide dogs are welcome.

Kids & families

The Pakkahuoneen museo has a children’s room with old toys.

Getting there & parking

The Pakkahuoneen museo is located on Rantakatu in Raahe.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

The museum shop sells products and books relating to the history of Raahe.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Weddings / ceremonies

Up to 40 guests.

The church hall, decorated with almost a hundred church sculptures, can be rented for small weddings and christenings for €60; the hall has about 40 seats.

Plan your visit