Halmens Hus

About the museum

Halmens Hus is a museum and craft shop on Majberget above Bengtsfors in Dalsland. It is run by the non-profit Föreningen Halmens Hus, with operating grants from Bengtsfors Municipality and cultural development grants from the Culture Committee of Västra Götaland Region.

The museum building was completed in 1995 and designed by the architect Boh Tivesten. It has an area of 327 square meters, of which 165 square meters are exhibition space. The house is in Gammelgården on Majberget.

The museum wants to preserve and develop straw craft as a tradition. This is done through courses, research and documentation, and by finding new uses for straw. The basic exhibition explains why straw has been so important in Dalsland, and the exhibition hall also shows changing exhibitions, often featuring craft and design. The craft shop, affiliated with Sveriges Hemslöjdsförbund (the Swedish Handicraft Association), sells objects in straw, ceramics, textiles, silver, metal and wood.

Highlights

• Basic exhibition on the importance of straw in Dalsland
• Courses in straw craft as well as birch bark, willow and sedge
• Craft shop with objects in straw, ceramics, textiles and wood
• Kafé Lettonia in the museum building
• Free admission
• Odla din hatt (Grow Your Hat) – a project on straw and hats

Permanent exhibition

• Basutställning om halm i Dalsland – Exhibition on why straw has been so important in Dalsland and on how straw craft and knowledge are preserved.

Operated by

Föreningen Halmens Hus

Visitors per year

approx. 18,000

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Free admission. Visitors can support the museum with a donation via Swish, in the shop or in a collection box at the entrance.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: not available
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials
• Audio description: not available

The museum, exhibition hall and shop are all on one level. The entrance has a threshold and there are some level differences inside, marked with contrasting colour, but these should not prevent an electric wheelchair, a manual wheelchair, a rollator or a pushchair from getting through. The entrance door has an automatic opener, and drop-off can be arranged about 5 metres from the door. Free accessible parking is available at the southern gable, about 20 metres from the entrance. An accessible toilet is in the shop. There is no induction loop or tactile map, and no audio guides. The exhibition texts are in easy-read Swedish and English. Some exhibition areas may seem dark out of consideration for delicate objects.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

The museum is on Majberget above Bengtsfors. From the south, follow road 172 towards Bengtsfors and turn right up towards Majberget; from the north, continue on road 172 through the town and turn left after the viaduct.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop
• Coat check

Kafé Lettonia in the Kaffestugan (coffee house): open Tuesday–Thursday 11:00–17:00, Friday–Saturday 12:00–18:00 and Sunday 12:00–15:00; closed Monday. Craft shop with homecraft. An unattended cloakroom is available.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit