The beautiful works area and the long-term effort that Ahlström has put in to maintain it are appreciated, because the Finnish Heritage Agency has determined Noormarkku Works to be a built cultural environment of national significance. A. Ahlström has been granted the Satakunta medal for its work in preserving and maintaining the culturally and historically significant Noormarkku ironwork area. Ahlström has also received an industrial heritage prize from the Finnish Industrial Heritage Society for turning the Makkarakoski sawmill into a museum and for constructing the Ahlström Voyage exhibition in 2015.
Cultural tours in the area
Ahlström Voyage: a guided tour of the exhibition
The Ahlström Voyage exhibition in the ironworks’ old workshop provides an interesting look at the history and present of the Ahlström companies, the family and the Noormarkku ironworks over a period of more than 170 years. The company’s story is a significant part of Finnish industrial, architectural, art and design history.
The exhibition includes art glass from the company’s Iittala, Karhula and Riihimäki glass factories, because there is a sizeable collection of pieces designed by e.g. Tapio Wirkkala and Timo Sarpaneva on display, along with several unique Savoy vases designed by Alvar Aalto. A spectacular model of the area is also on display.
The exhibition space also has a museum shop.
Café Voyage and its terrace are open during the summer season.
The duration of the guided tour is approximately 75–90 minutes. The price for groups starts from 18.00€/person.
The exhibition space has disabled access. There is also a lift.
Makkarakoski sawmill museum
Who created the sawmill’s frames? What roles did the sawmill’s female employees have?
The frames of Ahlström’s Makkarakoski sawmill stopped in February 1956. The operation of the sawmill was discontinued for good in 1957. At that time, the original sawmill equipment dating to 1880 was left as it was. Therefore, the sawmill contains a piece of industrial history that has remained untouched for over 60 years.
The Makkarakoski sawmill provides a unique look at a sawmill’s lifecycle. The sawmill’s machinery, which was acquired after the fire that destroyed the sawmill in 1875, was initially operated by hydropower, then by steam power and finally by electrical power. It is probably the only sawmill of its kind in Europe.
The guided tour lasts approximately 60 minutes. There are stairs in the exhibition space.
The price for groups starts from 18.00€/person.
Garden tour
Bring out the summer hats and parasols! The garden tour introduces the beautiful parks and manor gardens of the area, as well as the architecture of the buildings from outside. At the same time, we will learn about the area’s lively cultural history and present day.
The guided tour lasts approximately 90–120 minutes. The price for groups starts from 18.00€/person.
The tour involves about two miles of walking.
Area walking tour
How has the area been built over more than 200 years to its present glory?
The walking tour introduces the area and its buildings from the outside. A guide will share interesting stories about the history of the area, the company and the family.
The duration of the guided tour is approximately 45–75 minutes. Prices for groups start from 18.00 €/person.
The tour involves 1–2 miles of walking.
Following in the footsteps of Alvar and Aino Aalto – collaboration between the Aalto and Ahlström families
Alvar Aalto and his wife Aino Aalto were both architects, and they had a long and fruitful collaboration with Ahlström. This resulted in the creation of several masterpieces of Finnish architecture and design. The tour begins with a look at these pieces in the Ahlström Voyage exhibition. The exhibition features prototypes of Aalto vases and original drawings of iconic glass objects. After that, we will visit the Vainiola guesthouse on foot and the world-famous Villa Mairea from the outside.
The guided tour lasts approximately 90 minutes. The distance covered on foot in the area is about one mile. The price for groups starts from 18.00€/person.
Architecture and design
Stars of Finnish design and architecture, such as Aino and Alvar Aalto, Tapio Wirkkala, Timo Sarpaneva and Kaj Franck, collaborated with Ahlström for a long time, resulting in many iconic masterpieces. During the guided tour, you will learn more about how these art pieces were created and see a stunning collection of glass design objects, including prototypes of Aalto vases and the original wooden mould used in their creation.
The guided tour lasts approximately 60–75 minutes. The price for groups starts from 18.00€/person.
The exhibition space has disabled access. There is also a lift.
1918 – Civil War in Noormarkku
Civil wars are major national tragedies. The Finnish Civil War broke out on January 27th 1918, right after Finland had gained independence. As early as the next day, armed guards with red armbands set up checkpoints at the intersections of the roads in Noormarkku. During the Red occupation, there was division even within Noormarkku. How did people survive this difficult time?
The guided tour lasts approximately 75 minutes. The price for groups starts from 18.00€/person.
The exhibition space has disabled access. There is also a lift.
Ahlström during the wars
How did the Finnish Civil War and the events of the Second World War affect life in Noormarkku? How was production adjusted to fit wartime needs in Ahlström’s various factories?
The guided tour lasts approximately 75 minutes. The price for groups starts from 18.00€/person.
The exhibition space has disabled access. There is also a lift.
Children’s tour
What was life like for children in Noormarkku, when your grandparents were young? Do you think old mansions are haunted?
During the guided tour, we will spend time both indoors and outdoors. The tour is suitable for children aged 6–10 years, and children can join the tour either alone or with an adult.
The guided tour lasts approximately 75–90 minutes. The price for groups starts from 18.00€/person.
The tour involves walking approx. 0.5 miles.
Christmas stories
The Ahlström family has celebrated Christmas in Noormarkku during three different centuries. The staff also have their own Christmas traditions. Present-day Christmas traditions are a combination of the customs and Christmas foods of different time periods, but the most important thing is the Christmas spirit.
The guided tour lasts approximately 60 minutes. The price for groups starts from 18.00€/person.
The exhibition space has disabled access. There is also a lift.
Presentations
The story of Susan Travers
Susan Travers was a cosmopolitan British woman who served as a nurse and chaffeur. She was also the only woman in history to join the Foreign Legion. The presentation describes her breathtaking journey from a socialite to a war hero. What does Susan Travers have to do with Noormarkku?
The presentation lasts 60 minutes. The minimum number of people in a group is 20 persons. Price starts from 28.00 €/person.
