Västmanlands läns museum

About the museum

Västmanlands läns museum has its origin in Västmanlands fornminnesförening (the Västmanland antiquarian association), which was formed in 1861. The association began early to collect objects and archives, and in 1889 it was given premises in Västerås Castle. The Stiftelsen Västmanlands läns museum (the Västmanland County Museum Foundation) was formed in 1980, and today the museum is run by Region Västmanland as the only museum with the whole county as its area of responsibility.

The museum is housed in the old Mimerverkstaden at Karlsgatan 2, a large brick factory that Asea had built from 1911 for the manufacture of small and medium-sized electric motors. The building is shared with Västerås konstmuseum and is today a meeting place for art and cultural heritage. All the exhibitions are on the entrance level, and the archives and library are one flight up.

The basic exhibitions in the series När då var nu (Then Was Now) follow the county’s history from the hunters and gatherers of the Stone Age, through the iron production of the Middle Ages and the towns of Västerås, Köping and Arboga, to the bruk (ironworks) and castles of the modern era and modern Västmanland. A special exhibition deals with the Mimerverkstaden and life as an employee of Asea. The collections include, among other things, photographs, archives, archaeology, cultural-historical and technical objects and textiles, and the object store WestmannaArvet is in Hallstahammar.

Highlights

• The exhibition series När då var nu (Then Was Now) on Västmanland’s history from prehistory to today
• Människor och motorer (People and Engines) – the story of Asea’s Mimerverkstad
• The museum house in the industrial-history Mimerverkstaden from 1911
• Archive and library with about 1,500 shelf metres
• Always free admission

Permanent exhibitions

• När då var nu – Forntidens folk och fä – The exhibition follows Västmanland’s prehistory from the hunters and gatherers of the Stone Age to the Viking Age, with rock carvings and Iron Age boats among other things.
• När då var nu – Modärna tider – The exhibition depicts Västmanland from popular movements and democracy to industrialisation, with the development of electricity in Västerås as a theme.
• Människor och motorer – berättelsen om Mimer – The exhibition tells the story of Asea’s Mimerverkstad from 1911, work at the factory and life as an employee.

Founded

1861

Operated by

Region Västmanland

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Always free admission. Booked visits for groups cost SEK 500–1,600 per visit, depending on type and time.

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
• Audio description: no information

The building is threshold-free and all the exhibitions are on the entrance level; doors are automatic except to the toilets. There is a lift to floor two with the archive, library and educational room. A wheelchair can be borrowed at the information desk. There is an accessible toilet (RWC) with a hygiene bed and ceiling hoist, and a toilet with a changing table. For hearing: amplifying guide equipment and wireless receivers with neck loops can be borrowed. Many exhibition texts are written in easy-to-read Swedish and are available in English. Two disabled parking spaces are outside the main entrance.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Hands-on stations
• Stroller-friendly
• Baby changing facilities

Many exhibitions have interactive parts, and the museum arranges free activities for children and families, for example during the autumn holiday and reading holidays (läslov). Pushchairs can be taken everywhere in the building.

Getting there & parking

By car: E18, Cityringen, and an entrance on the right on Karlsgatan opposite the station.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop
• Coat check
• Lockers

Karlsgatan Kafé (run by Hässlö Werdshus) is on the entrance square; the museum shop is in the same house. Lockable cabinets for bags and jackets are on the entrance square.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events

Up to 200 guests.

The entrance square (up to 200 people), the lecture hall (Hörsalen) and the Transformatorn (max 20 people) can be hired for meetings, lectures and mingling.

Plan your visit