Jamtli

About the museum

Jamtli's history begins in 1912, when the open-air museum opened under the name Fornvallen Jamtli. Behind the initiative were the Jämtlands läns fornminnesförening (Jämtland County Antiquarian Society), founded in 1886, and the craft association Jämtslöjd, which together worked for a museum in Östersund. The core of the open-air museum consisted of the old court house from Gärde in Brunflo and Villa Björkhem, and the model was the open-air museum Maihaugen in Lillehammer. The vision was to create a living arena for traditional folk culture, with courses, fiddlers' gatherings and markets.

The collections grew quickly, and the museum developed into the county museum for Jämtland county. Today Jamtli is run by the Stiftelsen Jamtli (Jamtli Foundation) and comprises three museums on the same site with a shared admission fee: the county museum with permanent exhibitions on the history of Jämtland and Härjedalen, Nationalmuseum Jamtli with art and design from the collections of the Nationalmuseum, and the open-air museum.

In the county museum are, among other things, the Överhogdal tapestries, about a thousand years old, pictorial weavings that have survived to our time. The open-air museum has more than 20 historic settings, from the late 18th century to a mexi-tile villa from 1975, animals of old native breeds, and a clone archive of culturally significant plants. Each summer the grounds are filled by Jamtli Historieland, where the farms are brought to life with role-play and activities. Jamtli also manages large collections of objects, photographs and art, as well as archives and a library.

Highlights

• The Överhogdal tapestries – thousand-year-old pictorial weavings
• The county museum's permanent exhibitions on the history of Jämtland and Härjedalen, including the Storsjöodjuret (Lake Storsjö monster)
• Nationalmuseum Jamtli with art and design from the Nationalmuseum's collections
• The open-air museum with more than 20 historic settings and animals of old native breeds
• Jamtli Historieland every summer
• Jamtli's photo collection with about 10 million images

Permanent exhibitions

• Länsmuseets basutställningar – The history of Jämtland and Härjedalen with selected objects from the collections, including the Överhogdal tapestries, the Storsjöodjuret, the exhibition Lust & Fägring and Bondeliv (Farmer's Life).
• Överhogdalsbonaderna – Thousand-year-old pictorial weavings from Överhogdal, with a crowd of figures that have given rise to many interpretations, from Ragnarök to the Christianisation of Jämtland.
• Friluftsmuseet – More than 20 historic settings from the late 18th century to a mexi-tile villa from 1975, with animals of old native breeds, historic farming and a clone archive of cultivated plants.

Founded

1912

Operated by

Stiftelsen Jamtli

Director

Olov Amelin

Admission & discounts

The prices apply to the county museum and Nationalmuseum Jamtli (a shared admission); the open-air museum, café, shop and restaurant are free. Special prices apply during the summer Historieland and at special events (for example Vårfest and Julmarknad). Autumn 2026–spring 2027: adults SEK 160, pensioners and students SEK 130, young people aged 13–18 without an adult SEK 80.

Accessibility

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

The museum buildings are adapted for wheelchairs and powered wheelchairs, with lifts to all floors, automatic doors and no thresholds. Wheelchairs, rollators and crutches can be borrowed at reception. The open-air museum has gravel paths and cobblestones, and the historic houses are generally not wheelchair-accessible (some have ramps); through the Jamtli app you can look into the houses digitally. Induction loop in the lecture hall, Nationalmuseum Jamtli and the Konstateljén; ear defenders, a timer and magnifying glasses can be borrowed. There are no tactile maps. Jamtli is also available in easy-read Swedish for SFI (Swedish for immigrants). Guide and assistance dogs are welcome.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

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

Activities for children in the county museum (including the Forbondespelet, the farmers' game) and at the open-air museum with play areas and animals, Öppna förskolan (open preschool), Barn för en dag (Child for a Day) and the summer Jamtli Historieland. Changing tables are in the accessible toilets. Prams are fine to bring; Jamtli Kafé will warm up food you bring for babies.

Getting there & parking

Jamtli is at Museiplan 2, about a 10-minute walk from Östersund city centre. The entrance faces Kyrkgatan and is marked by a bell tower.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Restaurant
• Museum shop
• Coat check
• Lockers

Jamtli Kafé on the entrance level, Restaurang Hov at the open-air museum (lunch), Jamtli Butik and Jamtli Vandrarhem (hostel). Lockers for jackets and bags are available at no extra cost.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events
• Weddings / ceremonies

Conferences, meetings and parties in the museum's premises; book via bokningen@jamtli.com or 063-15 01 20.

Plan your visit