Silvermuseet

About the museum

The Silvermuseet opened in 1965 in Arjeplog and was founded by the provincial doctor Einar Wallquist, who came to Arjeplog in the 1920s and for forty years collected objects from the district’s cultural history. After his retirement he arranged a museum in the old Kronskolan at Torget, a boarding school for the children of nomadic Sámi from the 1850s, which was moved a few metres and renovated. Wallquist was the museum’s director until his death in 1985.

The museum has since grown with new buildings above and below ground. The exhibitions are spread over three floors and depict life in a mountain municipality from the time when the inland ice retreated until the first half of the 20th century. They cover prehistory, Sámi silver, the importance of nature as larder and pharmacy, settled smallholding and farming environments, and the children’s play exhibition.

The Silvermuseet’s collection of Sámi silver is considered the largest of its kind and comprises nearly 700 objects from the Middle Ages to the 20th century. The museum’s research department, INSARC, conducts interdisciplinary research. The same building houses Arjeplog’s tourist information, and Wallquist’s former home, Doktorsgården, is part of the operation.

Highlights

• The silver hall with nearly 700 objects of Sámi silver
• The exhibition Spår on prehistoric finds from the area
• Bofasta: recreated smallholding environments from the 1930s in the attic
• Hemma hos Plupp, a play exhibition for children
• Doktorsgården, the home of the founder Einar Wallquist

Permanent exhibitions

• Silversalen – The museum’s treasury with nearly 700 objects of Sámi silver from the Middle Ages to the 20th century, including silver collars, belts and cups (kosor).
• Spår – Prehistoric basic exhibition with archaeological finds from the area and the theme of the interplay between people, nature and the spiritual world.
• Bofasta – Recreated environments on the attic floor: a smallholder’s kitchen from the 1930s, a seamstress’s room and a schoolroom, with hunting, fishing and farming.

Founded

1965

Admission & discounts

The Kulturarvskortet applies both at the Silvermuseet and at Doktorsgården.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom
• 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 main entrance is reached via a ramp. The museum’s three floors are reached by lift at the entrance, and a lift at the group entrance leads directly to the exhibition rooms Östan, Västan and Polstjärnan. Accessible toilets are on the entrance level and the basement level. The lecture hall has a hearing loop.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Hands-on stations
• Playground / play area

The play exhibition Hemma hos Plupp has a peat hut (torvkåta), a spring flood, a bear and a wolf, and a reading corner with books in several languages. School programmes for different ages are available, including Livet i kåtan (Life in the Hut).

Getting there & parking

The museum is next to road 95 (Silvervägen) in central Arjeplog, by Torget.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

Museum shop with crafts, books, silver jewellery and local products in the entrance. Arjeplog’s tourist information is in the same building. Wi-Fi is mentioned only for rented conference rooms.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Corporate events

Up to 90 guests.

The lecture hall Polstjärnan has 60 fixed seats (expandable to 90). The rooms Östan (up to 40 people) and Västan can be used for meetings and events.

Plan your visit