Sundsvalls museum

About the museum

Sundsvalls museum started in 1956 and is run by Sundsvall Municipality. For several years the museum has been housed in the Kulturmagasinet on Packhusgatan in central Sundsvall, where the exhibitions are in the Barkassen and Skonerten sections. The same building also houses the city library, the Medelpadsarkiv (Medelpad archive) and a stage.

The museum’s remit covers the history of the town, contemporary Swedish art, the finds from the Högom burial ground and the history of the forest industry. The object collection reflects the region’s development from the late 19th century to the 1960s, when Sundsvall grew from a small wooden town into a stately stone city and became one of the country’s richest and most concentrated sawmill districts. The archaeological finds from Högom are among the oldest objects and date from the Migration Period, around the year 500.

The art collection has grown through purchases and donations since the museum’s founding and emphasises artists from Norrland, including Barbro Sprinchorn, Maja Braathen, Kalle Hedberg and Bengt Lindström. The sculptor Carl Frisendahl donated a comprehensive collection to the museum in 1967. The Fotomuseet (photo museum) has been part of Sundsvalls museum since 1998. The museum also looks after the open-air museums Norra Berget, Gudmundstjärn, Nolby högar and Svartviks industriminnen.

Highlights

• The exhibition I industrialismens spår (On the Trail of Industrialism) on the history of the town and the sawmills
• Finds from the chieftain’s grave at Högom, around the year 500
• Contemporary Swedish art with an emphasis on Norrland
• Sculptures by Carl Frisendahl
• Free admission and the experience room Pettson och Findus, mucklor och manicker

Permanent exhibitions

• I industrialismens spår – Exhibition with objects showing the development and industrial history of the Sundsvall area, from the workers’ kitchen to the timber merchant’s dining room.
• Staden som förvandlade sig – Exhibition on Sundsvall’s transformation from a wooden town into a stone town, with objects from the museum’s collection.

Founded

1956

Operated by

Sundsvalls kommun

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Free admission. Guided visits can be booked for groups.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The main entrance has no steps and an automatic door, and there is a lift to all floors. Most public areas are accessible by wheelchair, and wheelchairs can be borrowed. There is a hearing loop in the Programsalen (programme hall), and a portable hearing loop is available if needed. Accessible toilets are available on the entrance level, among other places. A disabled parking space is along Sjögatan.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Hands-on stations
• Stroller-friendly
• Baby changing facilities

The experience room Pettson och Findus, mucklor och manicker, detective missions and creative activities for children are available. Pushchairs may be brought in except into the experience room and the Programsalen; pushchairs are parked on the entrance level. Toilets with baby changing tables are on the entrance level and in the Barnbiblioteket (children’s library).

Getting there & parking

Visiting address Packhusgatan 4. The exhibitions are in the Barkassen and Skonerten sections of the Kulturmagasinet.

Amenities & dining

• Café

Teater ÄSCH Café on street level, open weekdays 11:00–17:00 and weekends 11:00–16:00. A toilet visit costs SEK 5. Food and drink may not be taken into the exhibitions.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit