Arbetets museum

About the museum

Arbetets museum (Museum of Work) opened in 1991 in Strykjärnet on Laxholmen in Norrköping. The building was formerly a textile factory and is owned by LO (the Swedish Trade Union Confederation). The museum is run by a foundation whose principals are the study associations and the organisations LO, TCO, ABF, KF and Sensus.

The museum collects not mainly objects but people's memories and life stories. The archive holds more than 2,600 interviews, stories and photographs describing working life, past and present.

In the exhibitions the visitor meets, among others, the mangle operator Alva Carlsson, who worked in the building when it was a textile factory, and sound stories from others who had their work there. One whole floor is intended for children and families.

Highlights

• Alva – workers' memories from Strykjärnet
• Hidden traces: sound stories from the time of the textile factory
• Lilla Arbetets for children and families
• The Magasinet exhibition on the history of Swedish industry and working life
• Free admission every day

Permanent exhibitions

• Alva – arbetarminnen från Strykjärnet – A large exhibition about the mangle operator Alva Carlsson, who worked in the building when it was a textile factory.
• Lilla Arbetets – A whole floor for children and families.
• Gömda spår – Sound stories from people who worked in Strykjärnet during the textile factory era, to listen to by the yellow thread reels.

Founded

1991

Operated by

Stiftelsen Arbetets museum

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Free admission to the museum and to events, unless otherwise stated. Groups must book their visit in advance.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom
• 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

All premises are wheelchair accessible, and a lift runs from street level to all floors. Accessible toilets are on floors 1, 2, 4 and 5, and on floor 6 during restaurant opening hours. Two disabled parking spaces are at Laxholmstorget, 31 metres from the entrance. Guide and service dogs are welcome. The conference room Folksamsalen has a hearing loop. From 1 October 2026 to spring 2027 the regular entrance is closed because of the reconstruction of Holmbron (the Holm Bridge); visitors use the lift from street level or the adjacent staff entrance.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Hands-on stations
• Stroller-friendly
• Playground / play area

The exhibition Lilla Arbetets on floor 1 is a whole floor for children and families. The Kreativa verkstan has activities at weekends and during school holidays. Pram parking is in the basement, and prams can be taken into almost all exhibitions but not into the Kreativa verkstan. A breastfeeding corner is in the packed-lunch room on floor 1.

Getting there & parking

The Holmbron bridge north of the museum is being replaced from 1 October 2026 until spring 2027 and is periodically closed, which may add a few hundred metres of walking. From the transport hub it is a walk via Repslagaregatan and Holmentornet.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Restaurant
• Museum shop

Brödernas Kafé (The Brothers' Café) on the entrance level, Restaurang VY on floor 6 with a view over Norrköping, and a museum shop. A packed-lunch room is on floor 1.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit