Helmer Bergvik Private Museum

How an old-fashioned lock opened with a bulky key works? This can be seen in the museum, where a cross section of a wooden lock of a barn is on display.

In the Helmer Bergvik Private Museum can be found a fascinating collection of diverse agrarian machines, tools and equipment, old peasant artefacts and even a homemade wheelchair as well as an electric carving machine for the carving of cows’ claws.

Various everyday items and tools have been collected in the museum. These are objects, that were needed in ordinary life as well as items that were possibly used more seldom, for instance a homemade spirit boiler from the beginning of the 20th century.
The first threshing machine in Båskmark, the Hillered made in Paris, is displayed in the museum. The villagers bought it together, because threshers were expensive. An association of around ten people was established for the purchase. It was carefully minded, that there was always at least one technician in the membership. A hearse was also purchased in the same manner, and is now on display in the museum.

The collection also includes other equipment used by the villagers, for instance the mangle of the Martta society and a hand held fire pump. There had to be a fire pump in every school and house. In case it was missing, a suitable penalty was charged.
There is an especially interesting story connected to the hay cage or hay sleigh called the “Measure of Sin”. Hay was transported from Tjöck to Kristinestad along the ice of the river. The strange name stems from the fact, that the peasants of the village used to trick the citizens and peasants of the city in the price and amount of hay.

There is also a collection of old time tools on display in the museum, for instance a horse-drawn harrow. Among the newer agrarian objects can be mentioned the tractor from the year 1928.

In a Påskmark barn are displayed objects from the time of the Second World War, for example a gas mask and a canteen. In the barn can be seen various tools and instruments of bygone times as well. Bergvik’s collections also include old photographs and films for those, who are interested in history.