Vadsbo museum
City and industrial museum on Residensön Marieholm in Mariestad, with the Unicaboxen, a paper machine from 1872 and the town's history.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
Vadsbo museum is Mariestad's town and industrial museum and shows a selection of the region's history from ancient times to the present day. The museum is located on Residensön Marieholm, where the Tidan flows into Lake Vänern. The former county governor's residence (landshövdingsresidenset) consists of a main building and six wing buildings, and the museum is housed in four of the wings, two of which are open to the public.
In the Stallet (stables), the basic exhibition on the emergence of Mariestad from prehistoric times to the early 1900s is shown, along with the region's development and the town as an administrative and residence town. In the Bodlängan (wing building), the town's industrial development is presented, with a focus on the Unicaboxen from AB Tidan Unica, Katrinefors bruk's oldest paper machine from 1872, and local companies such as Mariestads bryggeri, Nike, Klings Glass and Electrolux. There is also Klippås old hairdressing salon from the 1950s.
The museum is also responsible for Leksbergs skolmuseum in a former sexton's residence (klockarebostad) from 1816, about three kilometres south of Mariestad, as well as for two houses in Alhagen: Böckersbodastugan from the 1700s and Kajsas stuga.
Highlights
- Unicaboxen and the history of AB Tidan Unica
- Katrinefors bruk's oldest paper machine from 1872
- Klippås old hairdressing salon from the 1950s
- Basic exhibition on Mariestad's history in the Stallet
- Leksbergs skolmuseum in a sexton's residence from 1816
Permanent exhibitions
- Mariestads historia (Stallet) – Basic exhibition on Mariestad's emergence from prehistoric times to the early 1900s, and on the town as an administrative and residence town.
- Stadens industrihistoria (Bodlängan) – Mariestad's industrial development with the Unicaboxen, Katrinefors bruk's paper machine from 1872 and local companies.
- Operated by
- Mariestads kommun
Admission & discounts
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Accessibility
- Partially wheelchair accessible
- Elevator: no information
- 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 museum's two public spaces are accessible, but with some limitations. A wheelchair-accessible toilet is located next to the museum.
Kids & families
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Mariestads tågstation
From Mariestad railway station, walk via Nygatan, the square (torget) and Esplanaden to Hamngatan, and on over the bridge.
By car
Parking available
On regular visiting days you can park on the island. On market days the island is closed to cars; then park at Alhagen's car park west of the museum, on the other side of the Tidan.
The entrance to the museum is in the middle of Marieholmsbron. The guest harbour at the mouth of the Tidan is about 200 metres from the museum. Heavy vehicles such as buses need a special permit to cross the bridge.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Café
- Museum shop
The museum shop in the Stallet sells, among other things, copies of the Unicaboxen, luffarslöjd (traditional tramp crafts), ceramics and books. Simple refreshments (coffee, soft drinks, cake) during regular opening hours.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Guided tours of the basic exhibitions cost SEK 1,400 per group of about 20 people. School visits are free for organisations within Mariestad municipality and cost SEK 650 for schools from other municipalities. |
