Madesjö hembygdsmuseum
One of Sweden’s largest local history museums, in Madesjö’s old church stables, with over 7,000 objects arranged in settings from the life of the district.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
Madesjö was a large parish, and churchgoers needed stalls for their horses. The farmers first built their own stables in the meadows around the church, and by the mid-19th century there were about 150 stables. In 1865 it was decided to gather them into uniform stable rows, and the construction was completed in 1879–1880. When bicycles and cars took over, the need declined, several rows were demolished or used as firewood, and today three remain.
The Madesjö-Örsjö-Kristvalla local heritage society was formed in 1957 and around 1958 received some thirty stables as a gift. The first objects arrived in 1959, and during the 1960s the first settings were fitted out, including a shoemaker’s workshop and glassmaking. Since then the museum has been expanded with, among other things, a general store (handelsbod), a schoolroom, a photo studio, a forestry department, an emigrant exhibition and a village department. Two of the stable rows are used as a museum, and the third on special occasions.
The museum is run voluntarily by the local heritage society and holds over 7,000 objects. In summer 2026, QR codes were added that read out information in a language of choice, as well as a new exhibition on technical development.
Highlights
- Over 7,000 objects arranged in settings in the old church stables
- Old general store, kitchen, laundry room and schoolroom
- Margit Aldén’s photo studio and exhibitions on forestry and the development of the chainsaw
- Objects from the glassworks district, the Madesjöduken (Madesjö cloth) and the Madesjödräkten (Madesjö costume)
- Café Stallet with waffles on the veranda
Permanent exhibition
- Hembygdsmuseet i kyrkstallarna – Over 7,000 objects in settings such as a general store, forestry, farming, laundry, school, photo studio and glassworks.
- Operated by
- Madesjö-Örsjö-Kristvalla hembygdsförening
Admission & discounts
| Adults | SEK 80 |
|---|---|
| Children & teens | SEK 80free up to age 15 · Children under 16 have free admission when accompanied by an adult. |
| Groups (16+ people) | SEK 60 per personGroup discount for more than 15 people. |
SEK 80 per person from the age of 16. School classes free of charge. Members of the local heritage society may visit the museum once a year free of charge. Payment by card, cash or Swish (mobile payment).
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Kids & families
| Time needed | approx. 2 hrs |
|---|---|
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 15 |
- Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
In summer 2026 children can look for wights (vättar) that have hidden in the museum. Children under 16 have free admission when accompanied by an adult.
Getting there & parking
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Amenities & dining
- Café
Café Stallet serves waffles in summer when the museum is open: ice cream, coffee, waffles and soft drinks; in 2026 coffee and bun SEK 30, coffee and waffle SEK 50. The veranda and the museum’s salon serve as a resting place.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Audio guide | yes |
|---|---|
| Good to know | The museum is large, and the association recommends allowing a couple of hours. School classes and groups are welcome after a confirmed booking. Outside the summer season it can be cold in the museum, which is mostly unheated. QR codes at the settings give read-aloud information via the app InfoJee. |
