Suomalaisen kirjan museo Pukstaavi

About the museum

The idea of a Finnish book museum originated in Sastamala, then Vammala, in the 1980s in connection with the Vanhan kirjallisuuden päivät (Days of Old Literature). The Kirjan museon ystävät ry (Friends of the Book Museum association) was founded in 1997 to promote the project, and the Suomen kirjainstituutin säätiö (Finnish Book Institute Foundation) was entered in the foundations register in 2004. In 2004–2011 the foundation carried out several projects funded, among others, by the City of Sastamala, the Pirkanmaa regional council and the European Regional Development Fund. The museum was established in 2011.

Pukstaavi operates in central Sastamala on Marttilankatu, in the house of pharmacist O. A. Bäckman. The building was completed in 1920 as a residence and business premises for the pharmacist, to designs by Otto-Iivari Meurman, when the old pharmacy destroyed in the Civil War had to be replaced. After the pharmacist's death in 1938 the house was divided into smaller flats, and the city bought it in 2008. The building was renovated for museum use.

The museum's collections include cultural-historical objects, art, photographs, archives and a reference library. Significant donation collections include Pekka Vuori's caricatures of authors and illustration originals, Erkki Tuominen's ex libris collection, and art and cards by Rudolf Koivu. The basic exhibition approaches the book both as an object and as a phenomenon, and tells of the making, circulation and reception of books, before and now.

Highlights

• Basic exhibition from the incunabulum to the e-book
• Pharmacist Bäckman's house from 1920
• Donation collections of Pekka Vuori, Erkki Tuominen and Rudolf Koivu
• Book café Pukstaavi and museum shop
• Escape-room game Pako museosta III – Kirja pelastaa!

Permanent exhibition

• Inkunaabelista sähkökirjaan – The basic exhibition tells of the 500-year history of the Finnish book: how books have been made, distributed and read, before and now.

Founded

2011

Operated by

Suomen kirjainstituutin säätiö

Admission & discounts

One admission ticket gives access to both Pukstaavi and the Sastamala regional museum. The Museokortti (Finnish Museum Card) is accepted. Payment methods are cash, the most common bank and credit cards, and the Edenred and ePassi culture benefits.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: no information
• 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

The café has step-free access for wheelchairs and prams, and the event hall is step-free.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Kids’ birthday parties

For schoolchildren there are guided tours (the Kadonneet alushameet (Lost Petticoats) adventure and the Oivalla ja ylläty! (Figure it out and be surprised!) tour) at €40 per group. Birthday parties can be held in the book café and the museum, and escape-room birthdays are recommended for over-9s. Under-18s enter free.

Getting there & parking

It is 1.5 km from the railway station to the museum. The main door is opposite Herra Hakkarainen's house, and the museum shop's door is on the Marttilankatu side. Parking in central Sastamala is free of charge.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop
• Coat check

Pukstaavi book café (lunch on weekdays) and museum shop. The cloakroom is shared by museum visitors and room renters. The event hall has wireless internet for renters.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events

Up to 50 guests.

Former pharmacy hall on the first floor (67 m²) and two small-group rooms; the hall has presentation equipment. Rent is €35 per started hour during museum opening hours.

Plan your visit