Tekniikan museo

About the museum

The Tekniikan museo (Museum of Technology) was founded in 1969 as the national responsibility museum for the history of industry and technology. It is run by the private Tekniikan museon säätiö (Museum of Technology Foundation), whose board is appointed by a delegation of representatives of the founding organisations and the cities. The museum is in the Vanhankaupunki area on Kuninkaankartanonsaari island, at the mouth of the River Vantaa.

The museum buildings were previously used by the Helsinki waterworks: the plant purified the Vantaa river water for household use until 1969. The main exhibition hall is a round building that was originally built as a filter basin and is the oldest building of the former waterworks. The first exhibitions opened in 1972 and dealt, among other things, with turbines, hydropower, electric power and the graphic industry.

Today the museum presents the development of Finnish technology and industry and its effects on society. The collections comprise about 18,700 objects and 55,000 photographs. The museum also has an invention exhibition for children, as well as changing exhibitions, workshops and events.

Highlights

• Tekniikan maa (Land of Technology), the basic exhibition on Finnish developers and users of technology
• Kummituksen keksintökoje (The Ghost’s Invention Lab), a learning environment for families
• The round filter hall of the former waterworks as the main exhibition space
• ESKO, the first computer built in Finland, is in the museum’s collections
• Museum shop and café

Permanent exhibitions

• Tekniikan maa – The main basic exhibition presents Finns both as developers and as users of technology, and offers new perspectives on the history and future of technology.
• Kummituksen keksintökoje – A learning environment for families with children and for school and day-care groups.

Founded

1969

Operated by

Tekniikan museon säätiö

Admission & discounts

Free admission: Thursdays: Pay What You Want day

With the Museokortti admission is free, and the Helsinki Card is also accepted. Payment methods: cash, Finnish bank cards and the most common credit cards; Smartum, Edenred and ePassi can be used for the personal admission ticket, the Museokortti, and guided tours and workshops.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

A ramp leads to the main entrance; the door opening is 88 cm wide and the threshold is 7 cm high. The exhibitions on the lower floor and the event square can be reached through a separate door without a threshold, with the help of staff. Between the upper and lower floors there is an old lift with a door opening of 68 cm, which may stop 1–5 cm above or below floor level. Not all exhibition spaces are fully step-free; staff advise as needed. A quieter visit can be enquired about at customer service. Personal assistants enter free of charge, and guide dogs and assistance dogs are welcome. More information is in the museum’s accessibility statement.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Hands-on stations
• Kids’ birthday parties

The Kummituksen keksintökoje is designed for families with children and for school and day-care groups. The museum holds children’s birthday parties, workshops and Korjaustorstai (Repair Thursday) events.

Getting there & parking

The museum is on Kuninkaankartanonsaari island, which can be reached by car and by public transport. Bicycle racks with frame locks are in front of the main exhibition hall.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop

The museum shop sells admission tickets, products of small Finnish craft entrepreneurs, and books, and there is a small café serving snacks and soft drinks. From the museum shop you can buy or renew a Museokortti, and buy the museum’s Junior card.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent

The museum rents out spaces and offers event services.

Plan your visit