Huseby mill in Småland - a well-preserved time bubble

Facts about Huseby Bruk

• Municipality: Alvesta
• County: Kronoberg County
• Landscape: Småland
• Location: By the river Helige, between the lakes Salen and Åsnen
• The name: The oldest mention of the place is from 1419, when it was called Hosaby. The name describes the village's location at the mouth of the river Helgeån in Lake Åsnen.
• Read more: You can find more information at the mill's website.

Tours and activities

• Buildings: You can visit the various buildings, such as the Mill, the Old Forge, the Mechanical Workshop, the Blast Furnace, the Dairy and the Sawmill.
• Views: Sometimes the castle/mansion is shown with a guide.
• Exhibitions: Several different permanent and temporary exhibitions are on display.
• Shops: The area has several shops selling flowers, ceramics, crafts and more.
• Activities: Promenade theatre, castle yoga, concerts, dilemmas to be resolved, etc.
• Book the castle: You can book the castle for group tours, afternoon tea or a royal dinner.

Services and practical information

• Opening hours: The park and garden are always open. For current opening hours in the shop, restaurant and castle, see the estate's website.
• Prices: Prices vary, see the mill's website.
• Food service: Elisabeth's Garden, restaurant and café. There are also outdoor tables where you can eat your own packed lunch.
• Toilets: When the area is open, there are toilets in several places. During the low season, there is only a toilet in Gamla Smedjan during opening hours.
• Rules: You can bring your dog into the grounds (but not into the castle or restaurant) as long as it is on a lead.
• Accommodation: There is a farmhouse and two overnight rooms to book.

Accessibility

• Parking: Parking for people with reduced mobility is available at the restaurant and in the grounds. 
• Toilets: Accessible toilets are available in Gamla Smedjan and in Elisabeths Trädgård Restaurant & Café.
• Accessibility in buildings: Some of the buildings are accessible, but as the area is listed, this does not apply to all buildings.

History at Huseby Mill

• 15th century: The oldest form of the village name, Hosaby, is from this period. Various people owned the farm in the village, including the bishop of Växjö and the knight Magnus Sture.

17th century

• 1629: The king's son and Imperial Admiral Carl Carlsson Gyllenhielm came and built an ironworks. The mill used lake ore, which was taken from the large lakes in the area.
• 1630s: The casting of cannons and iron tile stoves, known as setting stoves, began.
• 1642: Arnold de Rees from Holland obtained a lease on the mill and developed it on a large scale.
• 1677: Operations were temporarily suspended.
• 1689: The brothers Peter and Paul Rudebeck leased Huseby Gamlegård and got the mill going again.

18th to 19th century

• 1792: Count Axel Hamilton took over the mill and added more farms.
• 1814: The estate was inherited by Earls Hugo and Malcolm Hamilton.
• 1844: The new mansion was completed.
• 1867: The estate was sold to Joseph Stephens. Joseph fell in love with Anna, the daughter of diplomat Gunnar Olof Hyltèn-Cavallius. When the engagement was broken, Joseph moved back to India, where he worked as a railway builder. He later returned to the mill.
• 1880: Joseph married Elisabeth Kreuger

20th century to present

• 1930: Pig iron ceased to be produced at the mill.
• 1934: Joseph Stephens died and his daughter Miss Florence inherited the mill.
• 1954: Until this year, the foundry was in operation.
• 1950s: Huseby was at the centre of the so-called Huseby affair. The affair involved the owner, Miss Florence Stephens, being swindled out of large sums of money and eventually declared incompetent.
• 1979: Florence Stephens died and the property was bequeathed to the state.
• 1996: Since this year, Huseby Bruk has been managed by the National Property Board. Visitor activities are conducted by Huseby Bruk AB, a municipal company.