Ludvika Gammelgård & Gruvmuseum

About the museum

Ludvika Gammelgård & Gruvmuseum lies by Marnästjärn in Ludvika and is run by Ludvika Hembygdsförening (Ludvika heritage society) together with Ekomuseum Bergslagen. The area is described as a small Skansen without animals, with a rich collection on the life of the bergsmän (ironworks men), mines and smelting works, and it comprises about 38 buildings.

The core is the Sjöbergska bergsmansgården (the Sjöberg bergsman’s farm), which goes back to the 16th century and stands in its original place. The farm has been in the same family’s ownership for about 359 years, and the hall has baroque paintings on its walls.

The Gruvmuseet (Mine Museum) was founded in 1920 by the writer Karl Erik Forsslund, Ludvika Hembygdsförening and the engineer Gustaf Björkman, and opened in 1938. It is described as the world’s first industrial-history open-air museum. There is a complete rod gallery (stånggång) with several angle gears, driven by a water wheel about 15 metres in diameter, which is the museum’s symbol; a horse-driven whim (hästvindslave) with an ore lift; tool sheds with hand tools; and machines, wagons and locomotives for transport underground. A mineral museum with about a thousand minerals is run by Västerbergslagens Geologiska förening (the Västerbergslagen Geological Society).

Highlights

• The Sjöberg bergsman’s farm from the 16th century
• The Mine Museum from 1938 with a rod gallery and a 15-metre water wheel
• Mineral museum with about a thousand minerals
• Herb garden and café
• About 38 buildings and a flea market on Saturdays, May–September

Permanent exhibitions

• Gruvmuseet – Open-air museum with machines and tools from closed mines, including a rod gallery driven by a water wheel about 15 metres in diameter.
• Sjöbergska bergsmansgården – A bergsman’s farm from the 16th century in its original place, with baroque paintings in the hall.
• Mineralmuseet – About a thousand minerals on show in the cow-shed building, run by Västerbergslagens Geologiska förening.

Founded

1938

Operated by

Ludvika Hembygdsförening

Admission & discounts

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Accessibility

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Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Playground / play area

In summer there is a play hut for families, and rabbits, sheep and hens roam the area.

Getting there & parking

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop

Café with coffee and bread in summer, and a reception. The mineral museum has a shop; Hällsjöboden sells materials for Ludvika and bergsman costumes, and in the Tholerihuset local handicrafts are shown and sold.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit