Hillefors grynkvarn

About the museum

Hillefors grynkvarn (Hillefors Groats Mill) lies on the northern bank of the Säveån river in Stenkullen in Lerum Municipality, and is Sweden's only intact water-powered groats mill. The story begins in 1888, when the carpenter and timber dealer Andreas Andersson bought land by the rapids and started a sawmill with a water wheel. In 1896 the wheel was replaced by a turbine, and in 1899 a water-powered oat groats mill was added, together with a bone-stamping mill (benstamp).

The complex was ravaged by fires in 1905 and 1909, probably caused by sparks from the hulling of grain between the millstones. The present buildings derive mainly from 1913, when the operation was rebuilt. Here oat groats, oat bran, oat flour and bone meal were produced until the 1930s, and boards were sawn; the sawmill was taken out of operation in 1965. The mill is driven by an early Francis turbine, which transfers the power to the drive shaft through a crown wheel with cogs of oxel wood (oxelträ), and the machines run on belts and twelve bucket elevators.

The mill has been a protected building since 1990 and is owned by Lerum Municipality, which leases it to Hillefors Grynkvarns Museiförening (Hillefors Groats Mill Museum Association), founded on 25 June 1985. The association works to restore the mill so that oat groats can be produced again, and it can already make oat groats today. Every spring the Kvarndagar (Mill Days) are held, and in autumn the Kulturarvsdagar (Heritage Days), when the machines run every full hour. In summer the mill is open some weekends, and groups can book guided tours. Next to the mill lies the Säveån valley nature reserve.

Highlights

• Sweden's only intact water-powered groats mill
• Francis turbine and cogs of oxel wood that drive the whole mill
• Machines run every full hour at Mill Days and Heritage Days
• Protected building and working-life museum beside the Säveån nature reserve
• Guided tours for groups on request

Permanent exhibition

• Hillefors grynkvarn – The intact oat groats mill with turbine, belt-driven machines and bucket elevators, and an exhibition in the museum section.

Founded

1985

Operated by

Hillefors Grynkvarns Museiförening

Admission & discounts

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

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 mill is accessible for people with disabilities on floors 1 and 4 and has an accessible dry toilet.

Kids & families

• Family tours & workshops

During the summer opening there have been children's activities, and children's theatre has been shown at events.

Getting there & parking

The mill is located by the Säveån nature reserve in Stenkullen, with walking paths and bathing places nearby.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Restaurant: not available
• Museum shop

At events, fika with waffles and coffee cake, as well as crafts and bread, is sold. The book “De tre grynarna” about the mill's history and construction can be bought at the mill.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent

The fourth floor can be rented, 8:00–22:00. The room is unfurnished but has chairs and tables, a projector and sound equipment. There is no running water, sewage, heating or kitchen equipment.

Plan your visit