Unique cultural environment. A good example of traditional Ostrobothnian building construction. Includes herb garden with old cultivated plants.

• Open in summertime. At other times by appointment.
• Entry fee.
• Guided tours.
• Café. Catering service available upon reservation.

More information

This museum environment is unique in many ways. In the region it is the only group of buildings erected in this manner which is still intact. At the same time Klemetsgårdarna serves as a good example of traditional Ostrobothnian building construction.

The three Klemetsgårdarna buildings were probably erected in the mid-nineteenth century. However, there was at least one building on the site earlier on. Historical documents present information about all owners from the 1720s onwards.

Johan Ersson is one of the first known owners of the Klemets homestead. In the 1720s he moved to Maxmo from the parish of Bjur in Västerbotten, Sweden. At this time, immigrants were a welcome addition to the population of Ostrobothnia. During the Russian occupation of 1714-1721, innumerable Finns had fled to the Swedish part of the realm. Klemets was probably one of the many Ostrobothnian homesteads which were abandoned in the early 18th century.

Traditionally, buildings in the Ostrobothnian farmsteads were erected around a more or less closed farmyard. It was also common for all buildings to be unpainted, and the dwelling-houses were often single-storeyed.

One hundred and fifty years ago there was a change, partly as a consequence of the extensive tar exports from Ostrobothnia. Tar-burning brought prosperity to the region. The dwelling-houses were being built taller than previously, in part influenced by middle-class residences in the towns. At the same time reddle became more commonly used and dwelling-houses were being boarded.

The division of homesteads had an effect on the appearance of the building groups. When a homestead was divided, the enclosed yard was abandoned. New dwelling-houses were erected close to each other, although the outbuildings were often kept in common.

Thus, the Klemets buildings were erected at a time when traditional building was in a period of transition. In Maxmo the building structure was probably also influenced by the main building at the colonel's residence in Tottesund, which was boarded and painted with reddle already in the 1750s.

All three farmhouses at Klemetsgårdarna were inhabited until the 1970s. One of the buildings is still privately owned, whereas two of the farmhouses have served as a museum since 1989. Next to the museum there is a herb garden with old cultivated plants such as horse-radish, chervil and tarragon. The threshing house contains a large exhibition of farming implements.

The museum houses a large textile collection with both outfits and bed clothes as well as wall hangings. There is also a large collection of old toys. The majority of the exhibited textiles date from the period between 1900 and 1960. The Klemetsgårdarna Museum is one of few museum in the region where everyday objects from local recent history are on display.

The Café Klemetsgårdarna, furnished in the functional style of the 1940s, reflects the atmosphere of the early 20th century. The café also serves as a handicrafts shop.

The museum and the café are run by the Maxmo Local History Society.