Stundars

The formation of Stundars open-air museum was initiated in 1938 when the elementary-school teacher Gunnar Rosenholm founded a museum society in Solf. Today the museum area is managed by the registered Stundars Association.

The museum consists of some sixty buildings that were all relocated from villages in Korsholm and the Vaasa region. Mr Rosenholm was an ardent collector of peasantry objects and was able to inspire the locals to participate in this extraordinary museum project. The buildings have been furnished to illustrate life at the turn of the 20th century. The farmhouse stands tall surrounded by its storehouses, cowshed, loft, and baking cottage. The simpler crofters cottages and the workshops stand in contrast to the relative wealth of the farmer. Those who did not own farming land had to make their living as dayworkers and craftsmen.

At Stundars we like to keep these handicraft skills alive and every year a number of different events are held here: handicraft workshops, banquets and fairs. Hemmers house is alive with activity all the year round: with fine arts, music and traditional building conservation.

The museum collection at Stundars houses approximately 10 000 objects illustrating rural society in Swedish-speaking Ostrobothnia in the period from 1870 to 1920. The history of the objects in the country shop extends into the 1940s. The items and pieces of clothing that are on display in the museum may be of an even earlier date, but they have been in active use during this period. The furnishings, clothes and tools displayed illustrate the different social classes in a late 19th century village. There is also a collection of special tools, which is on display in the pottery, copper-smithy and brass foundry.

The museum collection also includes an archive, a photo collection, a textiles archive, an art collection and a printing museum. Hemmer’s House also includes a memorial room dedicated to the poet Jarl Hemmer (1893-1944). This building also houses the museum’s collection of instruments.

The museum and the Gros Cafe are open every day 23.6. - 15.8.2014, 11.00-16.00. We like to bring the museum area to life in various ways. This summer you can walk right into the year 1903 and meet our villagers. You can participate in their chores or just chat with characters such as the Shopkeeper, the Schoolteacher or Smedis-Maria. An old-time school lesson is held at 13.00 every day.