Västmanland County Museum Travel Guide

Step into the dawn of Västmanland at the museum's 'När då var nu - forntidens folk och fä' exhibit, where artifacts from the retreating Ice Age reveal early hunter-gatherers. Stone tools, animal bones, and recreated dwellings illustrate life amid forests and lakes, showing how nomadic groups adapted to the post-glacial landscape. These displays ground the region's story in tangible remnants of survival and ingenuity.

The Vikingaliv exhibit transports you to the era of Halvdan & Meia, featuring recreated longhouses and trade goods that highlight seafaring exploits and daily crafts. Transition to 'När då var nu - medeltidens makt och människor,' where feudal hierarchies emerge through castle models, church relics, and noble artifacts. Power struggles between kings, bishops, and locals shaped Västerås as a key hub.

Witness transformation in 'När då var nu - nya tidens ordning och reda,' chronicling 18th-19th century shifts from agrarian life to factories. Exhibits on ironworks, railways, and early machinery depict how Västmanland fueled Sweden's industrial boom, with tools and documents evoking the grit of laborers building modern foundations.

The 'När då var nu - moderna tider' section captures 20th-century changes, from world wars to welfare state, through household items, propaganda posters, and tech gadgets. 'Människor och motorer - berättelsen om Mimer' dives into local automotive history, showcasing engines and vehicles that powered everyday progress in Västmanland.

Temporary exhibits like 'Älskade Västmanland' turn history into quests with puzzles and scavenger hunts suitable from age 8. Hands-on zones with hidey-holes and open doors engage children, while archives, library, and rotating crafts like 'Slöjda på lovet' invite creative exploration. English labels ensure accessibility for all.