Karmansbo bruksmiljö

About the museum

Karmansbo was one of the larger bar iron works in Västmanland. The hammer was probably established in the 1580s by the Hedströmmen, and the manor house was completed in 1759. During the 19th century the operations were gathered from several smaller forges into the large smithy at Karmansbo, which was rebuilt in 1873. The so-called Schwanska epoken (the Schwan era) lasted into the 1940s.

Production ceased in 1958. At the spring flood of 1977 large parts of the smithy were destroyed and it was not believed that it could be saved, but both the building and the machinery were restored. Since December 1982 the works environment has been owned by Skinnskattebergs kommun (Skinnskatteberg Municipality), and the activities are run by Hembygdsföreningen Karmansbo bruksmiljö (Karmansbo Works Environment Local Heritage Society). Karmansbo is part of Ekomuseum Bergslagen (Bergslagen Eco-Museum) and was named Årets arbetslivsmuseum (Working Life Museum of the Year) in 2022.

Today there is a cohesive works environment with a smithy, workers' dwellings, a works office and a manor house. The smithy still works with the 7.5-tonne mumblingshammare (mumbling hammer), a reconstructed waterwheel and restored rolling mills and blowing machine; according to the association it is considered the only one of its kind in the world. In the smithy block above the smithy there is a works flat furnished as it was around the turn of the century, and in Bagarstugan (the Baker's Cottage) a photo exhibition with pictures from the past is shown.

Highlights

• The smithy with mumbling hammer and waterwheel
• The Lancashire process for making bar iron
• Works flat furnished as it was around the turn of the century
• Photo exhibition in Bagarstugan
• Kolhuset (the Charcoal House) with forge food and coffee in summer
• Part of Ekomuseum Bergslagen

Permanent exhibitions

• Smedjan med mumblingshammare och valsverk – Living smithy where visitors see how bar iron was made with the Lancashire process, with hearths, waterwheel, hammers and rolling mill.
• Brukslägenheten – A smith's flat furnished as it was around the turn of the century, showing how a smith's family lived.
• Fotoutställning i Bagarstugan – Pictures from the past of the works and the district.

Founded

1993

Operated by

Hembygdsföreningen Karmansbo bruksmiljö (ägare: Skinnskattebergs kommun)

Admission & discounts

Guided tours during Järnets dag are free of charge, and visitors can make a voluntary donation. The admission price during the summer opening hours is not stated.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: no information
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• 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

No information on accessibility is available.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

Karmansbo lies by the Hedströmmen in Skinnskatteberg Municipality, with the postal address Långa raden in Kolsva.

Amenities & dining

• Café

Coffee is served in the Kolhuset, and during Järnets dag forge food: korngrynskaka (grain porridge cake) with fried pork and lingonberries, and pancakes.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit