Norrbottens museum

About the museum

The collecting of objects in Norrbotten began in 1878. Norrbottens Museiförening (Norrbotten Museum Association) was formed in 1886 by members of Luleå’s upper middle class, and the collections were first shown in the grammar school and from 1901 in the county administration building. In the 1910s the association discussed an open-air museum, which was realised in the early 1920s at Gültzauudden, and around 1970 it was moved to Gammelstad as Friluftsmuseet Hägnan.

The present museum building on Storgatan 2 was designed by the architect Eberhard Lovén and inaugurated on 21 July 1936 by Crown Prince Gustaf Adolf. The museum became a foundation in 1977, and since 1999 it has been a base unit within the county council, now Region Norrbotten. Activities are carried out throughout the county, including archaeology, buildings, ethnology, photography, archives and object collections.

The museum building has been closed since 2024 for an extensive renovation, which began as window renovation but now also covers electricity, ventilation, heating and security. No opening date has yet been set. When the house reopens, new exhibitions are planned, including one on Norrbotten’s history since the ice melted, and a larger play environment for children and young people. In the meantime, touring exhibitions and programmes are shown across the county.

Highlights

• Free admission
• County museum with collections on archaeology, ethnology and photography
• Arkivcentrum Norrbotten at Björkskatan
• Touring exhibitions throughout the county
• Museum building from 1936 by Eberhard Lovén

Founded

1886

Operated by

Region Norrbotten, avdelningen för regional utveckling

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

There is always free admission to the museum and to Arkivcentrum Norrbotten, and programme activities are free.

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: no information
• Audio description: not available

Ramps with handrails are in place outside the entrances but lack non-slip surfacing and can become slippery in rain. There is a lift in the buildings. Disabled parking is outside the entrances. A hearing loop is in the event room, and a portable hearing loop can be connected in the café. Exhibition texts are in Swedish and English. Audio guide and tactile signs are not available. Only guide dogs may be brought in.

Kids & families

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

Secure pushchair parking is available on the ground floor, and a toilet with a changing table is in the building in central Luleå. A play environment for children and young people is being developed during the renovation.

Getting there & parking

Björkskatan is at Höstvägen 7, in the same building as Björkskatan’s health centre (hälsocentral).

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop
• Coat check
• Lockers
• Wi-Fi

Free Wi-Fi via the RN-Guest network (log in with a mobile number). A museum café with gluten-free and lactose-free fika, and the museum shop, are in the building in central Luleå but are closed during the renovation.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit