Råbäcks mekaniska stenhuggeri

About the museum

Råbäcks mekaniska stenhuggeri (Råbäck Mechanical Stoneworks) was established in 1888 on Kinnekulle as one of the new machine-powered stoneworks of the time. With steam-driven stone planers the growing demand for worked natural stone could be met, and the almost thousand-year-old craft became industrial work. The location by the harbour on Lake Vänern decided where the deliveries went: for a long time most of the production was shipped by boat to towns around Lake Vänern, to the west coast and at times to Denmark. Operations continued until 1970, when demand had fallen too far.

Since 1983 the stoneworks has been a working-life museum. The old workshop from 1888 houses four stone planers, an edge saw, offices, a dining room, a forge and premises for hand chiselling, and it has been a listed building since 1984. The new workshop from 1936 contains, among other things, a frame saw, an edge saw, a grinding machine and several lathes. The machines have been restored and are shown in operation.

The museum is run entirely on a voluntary basis by Föreningen Stenhuggeriets vänner (the Friends of the Stoneworks Association), while the facility is owned by Stiftelsen Råbäcks mekaniska stenhuggeri (Råbäck Mechanical Stoneworks Foundation). There are no information boards or display cases here; instead the visitor meets two authentic workplaces. The stoneworks was named Working-Life Museum of the Year 2018.

Highlights

• Workshop from 1888 with four stone planers
• Machines shown in operation
• Listed building by its own harbour on Lake Vänern
• Open house during the Vårrundan (Spring Round) and Höstrundan (Autumn Round) with free admission
• Courses in stone masonry
• Working-Life Museum of the Year 2018

Permanent exhibitions

• Stenhuggeriet från 1888 – The old workshop with stone planers, edge saw, forge and spaces for hand chiselling, with machines shown in operation.
• Nya verkstaden från 1936 – Workshop with frame saw, edge saw, grinding machine and several lathes.

Founded

1983

Operated by

Stiftelsen Råbäcks mekaniska stenhuggeri (drivs av Föreningen Stenhuggeriets vänner)

Admission & discounts

Free admission: Free admission during open house in the Vårrundan (first weekend in May) and the Höstrundan together with Cultural Heritage Day (second weekend in September).

School classes SEK 40 per person, minimum SEK 900. Visits for larger groups during regular opening hours that have not been booked in advance cost SEK 800. The admission price for individual visitors during regular opening hours is not stated on the website.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: not available
• 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

The industrial heritage site is not adapted for disabled access, but people with reduced mobility have relatively good opportunities to experience the stoneworks and the harbour area. The premises are at ground level, but thresholds, rails and uneven ground can make passage difficult. The gravel road down to the harbour is just over a kilometre long and relatively narrow.

Kids & families

School classes are welcome for visits.

Getting there & parking

Motorhomes and caravans may no longer drive on the private road down to the harbour. Visitors can also cycle or come by boat to Råbäck harbour.

Amenities & dining

Two traditional dry toilets at the stoneworks.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit