My 11-year old son asked me a question one morning as I drove him to school. I treasure these moments of the day, a time to connect and talk about life, big and small. This morning he asked me about money, the concept of money. So I recalled that we had visited nearby Tumba Paper Mill Museum once just after moving here and I thought maybe it was time to do so again.
Tumba Paper Mill
Tumba Paper Mill Museum tells the story of money and how bank notes (paper money) was and is made in Sweden.
Back in 1755, what is today Riksbanken, Sweden’s central bank founded Tumba Paper Mill to meet demand for banknote paper. They wanted a secure and remote place yet still close to the capital. This was before railways and Tumba didn’t exist as anything but scattered farms. Goods were transported by boat over nearby lakes.
When railroads were later built, the paper mill was a major reason to have the lines run through Tumba rather than along the more populated areas further north.
Today, Crane AB produces Swedish banknotes in nearby facilities. While the sweeping change to digital currency has happened in Sweden over the past 10 years, there is still a unique purpose for money made of paper.
The museum is located in the original facilities. The Swedish term ‘Bruk’ in the Swedish name means something like a factory but also includes all facilities for workers and their families, often with schools, community halls and lots for self house-holding. So it’s also a view into the social and industrial history of Sweden. The area presents itself neatly at the end of a winded one way street. Tended parkland and well-kept residential buildings still today frame the daily life of families.
Visiting the museum with kids
So I took the kids for a renewed visit one day in April. The main attraction for kids is the paper making workshop where you get to create your own unique handmade paper. Complete with a water mark of your own choosing. An instructor takes you through the process. The museum mails the paper to your address after drying to arrive about a week after the visit.
An exhibition upstairs takes you through the story of money, from hacksilver to modern day banknotes. On display is peculiarities such as fahnenheilm notes (you know it is bad when the king makes his own counterfeit money to fund a war), while their sample 19 kg copper coin circulated in Sweden 1644–1776 was lent out and not on display while we visited this time. Expected back late summer 2024.
Entrance to the museum is free. Paper making workshop costs a fee. They are open Thursday through Sunday 11-16. There is a cafe and free parking next to the museum.
