Suomen Valimomuseo

About the museum

Suomen Valimomuseo is a specialist museum of the history of the foundry industry, located in the historic ironworks setting of Karkkila beside the rapids. The museum opened in its present building in 1989. The initiative to found a museum that records, researches and presents foundry history came from the Suomen Valimotekninen Yhdistys ry association. The museum belongs to the Karkkila ironworks museum Senkka, which is the museum of the City of Karkkila.

The museum's current permanent exhibition, “Valun jäljillä” (“On the Trail of the Cast”), was completed in 2020. It presents the history, technology and work stages of iron casting, from pattern making to the laboratory study of castings. On display are foundry tools, machines and equipment from all over Finland, and in the exhibition visitors can try casting virtually with VR glasses.

On the second floor of the museum building are the production of the Högfors works, old advertising films and Finnish art castings. The Galleria Bremer, which has changing exhibitions, operates in the same building.

Highlights

• “Valun jäljillä” permanent exhibition on the history and work stages of iron casting
• Try casting virtually with VR glasses
• Production of the Högfors works and old advertising films on the second floor
• Finnish art castings
• Combined ticket to the blast furnace and the workers' museum

Permanent exhibitions

• Valun jäljillä – The permanent exhibition presents the history, technology and work stages of iron casting, from pattern making to the laboratory study of castings, and includes a virtual casting experience with VR glasses.
• Högfors-esinekokoelma – On the second floor of the museum building are the production of the Högfors works, old advertising films and Finnish art castings.

Founded

1989

Operated by

Karkkilan kaupunki (Karkkilan ruukkimuseo Senkka)

Admission & discounts

Admission ticket to the Suomen Valimomuseo, Galleria Bremer and the Huitin huone €8 (reduced €5). Free admission for under-18s, for groups from Karkkila in early childhood education, basic education and upper secondary education, and for holders of the Museum Card, ICOM card and Kaiku card. Accepted payment methods are bank and credit cards, Museum Card, Kaiku card, MobilePay and ePassi; cash is not accepted.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: not available
• Elevator: not available
• Accessible restroom: not available
• 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 museum building has stairs to the second floor (Galleria Bremer, no lift), thresholds and steps, and several steps at the entrance. The museum's toilets are on the second floor, and there is no accessible toilet. There is no induction loop, and no wheelchair or pushchair is available to borrow. The exhibition spaces have seating. Information on accessible parking is available from the museum information desk during opening hours.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

The museum is located in the Karkkila ironworks area, near Tehtaanpuisto and the rapids.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop
• Coat check

Museum shop Lansetti. An unattended cloakroom with coat hooks is near the ticket sales (limited space).

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent

Up to 100 guests.

Spaces available for hire are the exhibition space of Galleria Bremer (about 130 m², up to 100 people), the pasutusuuni (firing kiln, up to 30 people) and Fagerkullan Pakari (up to 60 people).

Plan your visit