A
national association of enthusiasts
In the last 150 years Sweden has developed from the 19th century peasant
society to the industrial society of the 20th century until today’s
high-technological information society. These changes have affected the
way we think, our habits and norms. The living conditions have
drastically changed – not least in the working life.
In Sweden today there are about 1 300 local Working Life museums that
preserve, use and make the industrial society’s cultural heritage
accessible. The focus is on the people and their work. Thousands of
enthusiasts are spreading the knowledge – about tools, technology and
factories, but also manual work, pride and social conditions.
This is of great importance for our common identity, and for the
possibilities to strengthen the vitality and development of local
communities – but the perspective is also regional, national and global.
The Working Life museums are in that way a manifestation of the
democratic potential of our cultural heritage!
The Working Life Museums Co-operation Council (ArbetSam) is a non-profit
national organization with the purpose to support and develop their work
with our cultural heritage. The overall aim is to deepen the knowledge
about the past to get an increased preparedness for the future.
The Working Life museums – a
popular movement
“Working Life museum is referring to an
activity with the purpose to preserve, interpret and form the cultural
heritage values of a workplace. These values can be physical as well as
immaterial. The activity can be within the private or public sector and
should be, or aim at becoming accessible to the public.“
The reality behind this definition is an impressive popular movement.
The activity at the country’s approximately 1 300 Working Life museums
is largely based on non-profit efforts. The engagement, great knowledge
and willpower of thousands of enthusiasts to make the history of working
life accessible are an invaluable resource.
What motivates these enthusiasts? In many cases there is a personal
interest in the subject, and probably also the satisfaction to see
visitors captivated by history. Karl-Gunnar Karlsson, guide at Iggesunds
Factory museum, tells us about a visitor who always returns to the
steam-engine in the rolling-mill:
- Every year a grey-headed enthusiast visits us. He stands for two hours,
looking at the engine and then says: “It ought to be run!”
Strengthens, supports and
co-ordinates
ArbetSam works with supporting and strengthen the activities at Working
Life museums. Among other things this means working with co-ordination,
influencing of public opinion, information, exchanging knowledge,
education and recruiting members.
One forum for this work is www.arbetsam.com. The website publishes
current information about Working Life museums, seminars, list of
members, new publications, activities and much more which contribute to
support and strengthen the museums activities. The website also exposes
ArbetSam and Working Life museums to the public.
A major work with initiating new research, spreading knowledge, and
creating an opinion for Working Life museums is also done. It’s about
getting attention and acceptance but also to fortify the concept Working
Life museum.
A wide range of members is a condition for the work and continuing
development of ArbetSam. Therefore there is a continuous recruitment of
members through personal contacts, staffed chancellery, the website and
by mail, along with practical help for individual needs.
Variety
and engagement
Amongst the Working Life museums we find laundry museums, ironworks, a
flying DC-3, galleasses, schooners, shoe factories, agricultural
museums, ropewalks, veteran railways, tow-boats, foundries, mental
hospital museums and many many more. There is a great variety and the
engagement unites.
Common to many of the museums is their way to pass on their knowledge.
Visitors are allowed to forge, taste, wash, bake, smell, listen, feel,
ride, drive, remember, and be amazed – using all their senses in
learning from the history.
The Ropewalk museum in Älvängen outside Gothenburg gives the visitors
opportunity to see rope-making and equipment, hear the rythmical
throbing from the old machine driven by belts, smell the natural fibres
and tar, feel the raw material and finished products.
“Imagine at my age to grind a few bags of flour, it’s amazing!”, said
Sven Melander, third generation miller, at the re-opening of
Kvarnviken’s mill. Sven has his own memories – for the younger
generation the possibility to try to grind his or her own flour, becomes
a new experience to bring into the future.
Learning from the memory
The visions of ArbetSam
The foremost purpose of the memory is to learn. To learn from our
experiences, see connections and get a comprehensive view. The visions
ArbetSam has for the future is to support the non-profit efforts made by
persons, driven by their will to share memories and experiences, from
what we call the industrial society's cultural heritage
New generations of enthusiasts must be attracted to get a connection
between the past and the future. ArbetSam will continue to develop its
member’s wide range of knowledge. This involves learning more about
working life heritage as well as the technical systems and working as a
museum.
The dialog between the established institutions and the Working Life
museums will be stimulated to get an expanded co-operation and an
exchange of experiences. The recently established ArbetSam secretariat
in Norrköping will also play an important role as co-ordinator.
In the vision there is also a demand for more resources. The country's
about 1 300 Working Life museums are given a very small amount of
society's resources to be divided as project contributions.
Contributions for the running expenses are almost none. The enthusiasts
who despite this make their activities work, needs support to stop them
from burning out!
Contact:
ArbetSam
Laxholmen
S - 602 21 NORRKÖPING
Sweden
info@arbetsam.com
Phone: + 46 11 23 17 30 |
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