Husqvarna museum
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11 May 2021 / 13 Comments

Husqvarna museum - and more to do in Huskvarna

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Writer: Helena Bergström

The Husqvarna museum in Huskvarna tells the story of a company that started making rifles in the 17th century and is now a world leader in forestry and gardening products. Nearby, you can visit the charming Smedbyn village or see the view from Huskvarna mountain.

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Husqvarna museum

The Husqvarna museum is interesting to visit. We both knew that Husqvarna was a big company, but we were still fascinated by the incredible range of products that have been manufactured here over the years.

Helena vid Husqvarna museum

The Husqvarna Museum is located in Huskvarna, right next to Lake Vättern, about 8 kilometres northeast of Jönköping.

Husqvarna museum - from rifles to sewing machines and motorbikes

The tradition of forging weapons in Huskvarna can be traced back to the 14th century and the creation of the castle Rumlaborg. In 1620, King Gustaf II Adolf founded the Jönköping Rifle Factory, one of five in the country, and gun manufacturing began in earnest. In 1689, the factory opened a mill in Huskvarna.

Husqvarna museum

Initially things went well, but after a while the sale of weapons declined and in 1872 the company started producing sewing machines. This production was also slow at first, but the appointment of director Willhelm Tham in 1877 ushered in a new era. Many new products were produced, such as stoves, cookers, bicycles, motorcycles and all kinds of household appliances.

Husqvarna museum
Husqvarna museum
Husqvarna museum

In the late 1970s, Husqvarna was bought by Electrolux and the business was reorganised into forestry and gardening products. In 2006, Electrolux spun off Husqvarna and the company is now the world's largest manufacturer of things like robotic lawnmowers, garden tractors and chainsaws. The brand is also used by three other companies that manufacture sewing machines, white goods and motorcycles.

The museum displays a wide range of products from all eras and it is interesting, and sometimes a bit nostalgic, to look around.

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Husqvarna museum

More to see and do in Huskvarna

When we had finished checking out the Husqvarna museum, we took the opportunity to look around the town. Huskvarna is not very big, but it is beautifully situated by Lake Vättern and has several interesting places to offer.

Blacksmith village

Smedbyn is an area of small red cottages, originally built in the 18th century for the blacksmiths of the Husqvarna factory, who had their workshops here.

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Smedbyn i Huskvarna

Today the houses are used by craftsmen and artists. Things like craft markets, art tours and old-fashioned Christmas are usually organised here. Right now it was relatively deserted and closed, but still a nice neighbourhood to walk around in.

Smedbyn i Huskvarna
Smedbyn i Huskvarna

Pustaleden

The Pustaleden is a 1.8 kilometre long historical walk that goes along several culturally valuable buildings in Huskvarna.

Pustaleden i Huskvarna

Along the trail there are signs telling the history of the area. In addition to passing Husqvarna AB, you will also pass the hotel Slottsvillan, Ebbe's power station, Örjansgården and a beautiful forest with old beech and oak trees.

Slottsvillan
Husqvarna museum
Husqvarna museum
Huskvarna in the late 17th century and the rapids in the centre - Suecia verket

The view

If you want to see Huskvarna from above, you can drive to the viewpoint on Huskvarnaberget. From here you have a fantastic view of the city and Lake Vättern.

Utsikten Huskvarna
Utsikten Huskvarna

Giant Vist

When writing about Huskvarna, one must of course mention the sculpture of the giant Vist, created by Calle Örnemark, which you see when driving past on the E4 motorway.

Jätten Vist i Huskvarna

According to legend, the giant created the island of Visingsö when his wife had been at a party in Västergötland and was about to return to Småland. The giant Vist threw a large rope into the lake to give his wife something to step on. The rope became the island of Visingsö, and the place where the rope was torn loose became the lake Landssjön.

Jätten Vist i Huskvarna

More to see and do near Husqvarna Museum

Right next to Huskvarna is Jönköping, where you can visit the interesting Matchstick Museum. It is also nice to visit charming Gränna, where you will find the Grenna Museum, which tells the story of the Andrée expedition. From here, you can also take a ferry across to the beautiful and colourful cosy Visingsö.

All our top tips for holidays in Småland

Have you visited Husqvarna Museum or Huskvarna?

Have you visited Husqvarna Museum and Huskvarna? Perhaps you have more tips on nice places to experience in the neighbourhood?

Facts about Husqvarna museum

  • Address: Hakarpsvägen 1, Huskvarna
  • Read more: You can find more information at the museum's website.

Services and practical information

  • Opening hours: The museum is open all year round, usually Mon-Fri 10-15 and Sat-Sun 12-16. Please note that opening hours may vary and during spring 2021 the museum will be closed on Sundays. See the museum's website for current information.
  • Prices: Adults 90 SEK, students or pensioners 70 SEK, children 12-18 years 40 SEK and children under 12 years free (2021).
  • Parking: Parking is available outside the museum entrance, on the other side of the road.
  • Accessibility: Accessible toilets are available on each floor. The museum spaces are wheelchair accessible. There is a spacious lift between floors.

Facts about Huskvarna

  • Municipality: Jönköping municipality
  • County: Jönköping County
  • Landscape: Småland
  • Population: Almost 24 000 (2017)
  • The name: The town's name comes from the mill that stood next to the Husån river, called 'Huskvarnen'. The word 'house', in turn, is the medieval name for a fortified structure.

History of Huskvarna

  • 1689: Parts of Jönköping's rifle factory moved to the falls in the Huskvarna River. There were already a few mills and a gunpowder factory here.
  • Late 18th century: The gunpowder factory was closed down and the weapons factory completely took over the streams at Huskvarnaån.
  • 1867: The privately owned factory became a limited company and was named Husqvarna.
  • 1870s: A harbour was built.
  • 1894: Huskvarna was connected to the narrow gauge railway between Jönköping and Vireda. Later, the Nässjö-Falköping urban railway line also had a stop, Huskvarna södra.
  • 1911: The town of Huskvarna was formed, with a population of nearly 6,000 people.
  • 1930: Of the town's more than 8000 inhabitants, more than 2000 were employed by Husqvarna. The only other major industry in the town was AB Husqvarna brush factory.
  • 1971: Huskvarna, which had grown together with Jönköping, ceased to be a separate municipality and became part of the larger Jönköping.

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FREEDOMtravel Avslut
11 May 2021 6:00
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13 Comments

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  1. Ama de casa says:

    Very nice there in Huskvarna! But I wonder... You couldn't help but touch that fifth stove from the left in the header image? Such signs are irresistible... 😀.

    11 May 2021 - 9:28

    Reply

  2. Rolle o Carina says:

    Of course we've been to all those places with our motorhomes!
    Visingsö is nice to go over to, even Gränna is good!
    We have also been to Elmia, but a few years ago now actually!

    Take care.....

    11 May 2021 - 9:53

    Reply

  3. Ann-Louise Paulsson says:

    So fun that you are in my childhood neighbourhood. I grew up in Vetlanda and was often in Jönköping and Huskvarna. However, I have not visited the museum but only travelled past and seen it from the outside. What shocks me a little is that I have never even heard of Smedbyn, I love red little cottages. Immediately write it up on my list for this summer's Smålands holiday! 🙂

    11 May 2021 - 9:57

    Reply

  4. Lena+i+Wales+och+Spanien says:

    I visited the Husqvarna museum and Smedsbyn a few years ago. Very interesting. My husband has had a Huqvarna motorbike, so he was a bit jealous that I had been there, but bought a t-shirt with a Husqvarna motorbike as a consolation.
    Take care!

    11 May 2021 - 12:17

    Reply

  5. bmlarsreseblogg says:

    It's enough to make you feel ashamed. I have never been to Huskvarna, even though it is barely 10 kilometres away. It's time to tighten up!
    What a wonderful journey you are on!

    11 May 2021 - 19:28

    Reply

  6. BP says:

    So much one does not know;-) Then it is lucky that your blog exists. I knew that Huskvarna made sewing machines, motorcycles and robot lawn mowers, but the rest... Now I have learnt something new again:-)

    11 May 2021 - 20:05

    Reply

  7. Anette says:

    What fun, we were actually also in Huskvarna a little while ago.
    We had a lovely stay and a good time in the castle villa.

    https://vidarevyer.blogg.se/2021/february/myset-overgick-i-oro.html

    11 May 2021 - 20:21

    Reply

  8. Annika says:

    Hello!
    Thank you for a very nice report on my home town that I left many years ago but always return to several times a year (when there is no pandemic of course...)!
    The Husqvarna museum is a gem, as is the Ådalsfallet waterfall behind it if they release the rapids properly. Then I can strike a blow for Kroatorpet (café/rest.) and the old Kruthuset which is close to the E4 motorway with a beautiful view of Lake Vättern and close to the Giant Vist. The beautiful view from Utsikten is magnificent and it was fun that you found it :). Ådalsvägen's winding road up is a bit special to ride and if you take the other way it becomes a VERY steep hill ("Kleva") up to Göransberg. Check the brakes before you go down... From Utsikten I see the house my grandmother lived in and the place further away, Vättersnäs, where I grew up by the beautiful sandbanks near Elmia. Also worth a visit!

    11 May 2021 - 20:40

    Reply

  9. Lena - gott för själen says:

    Yes, oh, I liked that museum when I was there, I remember. A very nice museum. I remember that I was surprised by the extremely diversified activities at Husqvarna. So many different products.

    Gränna was a very cosy and cute town too. There was a campsite that we stayed at.

    Hug Lena

    12 May 2021 - 5:53

    Reply

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