Brunskogs hembygdsgård

About the museum

Brunskogs hembygdsgård at Skutboudden lies by the lake Värmeln. The first house came to the site as early as 1949: Drängstugan (the farmhand's cottage), which was moved down from the church and had been Brunskog's first parish cottage (sockenstuga). At that time large forests were being felled in the parish and the timber was still being floated on Värmeln, so the area was used as a timber yard. Even so, outbuildings, a kölna (a traditional outbuilding) and a stolpbod (a storehouse raised on posts) were set up.

The big farmer's cottage Västre (Storbondestugan Västre) in Strand was moved across the ice from the holding Strand on the other side of the lake and inaugurated in 1955 as a homestead. Thereafter the area grew. The Frödingstenen (Fröding Stone) was raised in 1959, Gammelvala started in 1963, and Gammelvalalagården (Gammelvala Farm), today the restaurant Skutbouddens, was inaugurated in 1973. The Vävstugan (weaving house) was built in 1977, and the most recent building, a copy of the first shop of Konsum Värmland, was inaugurated in 2024.

Today there are about forty buildings. Most have been moved from Brunskog and Mangskog, but many have been built on site in the old style. Here there are, among others, a flax sauna (linbastu), a smithy, a village school (byskola), a soldier's croft (soldattorp), a general store (handelsbod), an exhibition hall, an agricultural museum, a hot-bulb engine museum (tändkulemuseum), a restaurant and a pottery workshop.

Highlights

• The big farmer's cottage Västre in Strand from the early 19th century
• Drängstugan, Brunskog's first parish cottage
• About forty buildings, including a smithy, flax sauna, village school and general store
• Gammelvala, a week of old working methods and traditions
• Agricultural museum and hot-bulb engine museum

Permanent exhibitions

• Gammelvalalagårn – museet – Museum with permanent exhibitions on the lower floor of Gammelvalalagården, and a study and exhibition room, Gamla grötköket (the old porridge kitchen).
• Vildhjärtas Pinnreservat – Permanent exhibition of peg figures (pinnfigurer).

Founded

1955

Operated by

Brunskogs hembygdsförening

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

The area is open with free admission, except at certain special events.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• 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

Most of the buildings are accessible for disabled visitors, according to the homestead. Dogs should preferably stay outdoors.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

The homestead is near national road 61, 20 km east of Arvika and 55 km from Karlstad. Turn south off road 61 at Coop Vikene and follow the road for 900 metres. There are also motorhome pitches.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Restaurant
• Museum shop

Coffee service at Drängstugan in summer and Skutbouddens restaurant (open by booking and at events). Handelsboden and craft shops in the area.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit