The Glass Factory

About the museum

Boda glassworks was founded in 1864 and was one of the best-known glassworks in Glasriket (the Glass Kingdom) in south-eastern Småland. The whole village grew up around the works. When production ceased in the early 2000s, the glassworks was converted into the glass museum The Glass Factory, which is run by Emmaboda Municipality and opened in 2011.

The museum describes itself as Sweden's only purely dedicated glass museum. The collection contains around 50,000 objects from various glassworks, including Kosta, Boda, Åfors and Johansfors, with utility glass, ornamental glass and art glass from the 18th century to the present day. Many designers are represented, including Gunnar Wennerberg, Vicke Lindstrand, Mona Morales-Schildt, Ann and Göran Wärff and Rolf Sinnemark.

In the museum's glassworks studio (hytta), glassblowing and events take place where artists and designers experiment with the glass, and visitors can try painting, engraving and sandblasting glass for themselves. The collection in the storerooms (magasinet) can be viewed on booked, guided visits for small groups.

Highlights

• Sweden's largest collection of art glass, with around 50,000 objects
• Live glass studio with glassblowing and events
• Designers such as Vicke Lindstrand, Gunnar Wennerberg and Mona Morales-Schildt
• Barnens Glass Factory, with a treasure hunt and a try-it studio
• Museum café in the old glassworks

Permanent exhibitions

• Samlingen av konstglas – Sweden's largest collection of art glass, with utility, ornamental and art glass from Kosta, Boda, Åfors, Johansfors and other works, from the 18th century to the present day.
• Hyttan – Live glass studio where artists and glassblowers work with the glass and visitors can follow the craft.

Founded

2011

Operated by

Emmaboda kommun

Admission & discounts

The Kulturarvskortet (Cultural Heritage Card) gives a 50% discount on admission. Larger groups are divided into smaller groups.

Accessibility

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

The museum is built on one level and can be visited by wheelchair and rollator; the storerooms are reached by stairs or lift. Disabled parking spaces are at the main entrance. A portable guide system for hearing-impaired visitors can be connected to hearing aids, and there is an exhibition adapted for visually impaired visitors, where visitors are encouraged to touch the art.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

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

Barnens Glass Factory offers a treasure hunt with prizes, an exhibition where children can touch the glass, and a studio where they can paint or engrave glass (SEK 100 per activity; open in summer). Changing tables are in the toilets.

Getting there & parking

Storgatan 5, Boda glasbruk.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop
• Coat check
• Lockers

Museum café and web shop; cloakroom with lockers that lock without coins.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent

Lecture hall, office hub and workshops (fusing, neon and glassblowing studio) can be hired or booked.

Plan your visit