Emigrantmuseet i Alfta

About the museum

The Emigrant Museum in Alfta is located in the visitor centre at Hälsingegård Ol-Anders, one of four visitor centres for the Hälsingegårdar World Heritage site. The museum tells the story of emigration from Alfta parish in the 1840s and follows Brita Olsdotter from the village of Älvkarhed as she leaves Sweden together with many others.

The background was a religious revival. The Evangelical Lutheran Church had long dominated society, but more and more people questioned its authority, and spiritual meetings were held in homes even though they were forbidden. Erik Jansson preached at the revival meetings and became the leader of the erikjansarna. The movement was persecuted by the local constable (länsman), and after public book burnings it left Sweden in 1846 and founded the community of Bishop Hill in Illinois, near Chicago.

The museum is itself the exhibition. It is part of the visit to Ol-Anders, where visitors can also see the manor house (herrstugan) with wall paintings from 1848, the biosphere exhibition about the Voxnadalen valley and the exhibition about the forestry machinery company ÖSA.

Highlights

• Brita Olsdotter’s journey from Alfta to America
• Erik Jansson and the erikjansarna
• The route to Bishop Hill in Illinois
• Located in the visitor centre at the Ol-Anders world heritage farm
• Free admission

Permanent exhibition

• Emigrantmuseet – The museum follows Brita Olsdotter and the erikjansarna from Alfta to Bishop Hill in Illinois after their emigration in 1846.

Operated by

Ovanåkers kommun

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Free admission to the visitor centre and exhibitions. Guided tours cost extra.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom
• 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 farm is largely accessible. Several houses have a loading ramp, but the festgården (festivity house) and Hälgegården lack a ramp. An accessible toilet and a changing table are in the visitor centre. Dogs on leads are welcome on the farm but may not enter the houses.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Hands-on stations
• Baby changing facilities

Barnens världsarv has a creative workshop and activities such as stick-horse riding, and in summer there are hens and rabbits on the farm. Changing tables are in the visitor centre.

Getting there & parking

The farm is next to national road 301/50.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop

Café Agnes has the same opening hours as the visitor centre and serves, among other things, Hälsingland cheesecake (hälsingeostkaka), open sandwiches and ice cream. Souvenir shop with products linked to the world heritage site and Hälsingland.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit