History

Rauma Museum

The Rauma Museum was founded in 1891 and is one of the oldest museums in Finland. The museum was established by private citizens of Rauma, but the following year the City of Rauma took over its management. The first exhibition open to the public opened on the upper floor of the Rauma Town Hall in 1904. Today, the museum has three locations in the Old Rauma area: in addition to the Rauma Town Hall, there is Kirsti, the home of sailors and craftsmen, which has been in operation since 1979, and Marela, the shipowner’s home, which opened in 1982. In the 1970s, the museum also took on the responsibility of opening the workshop of potter Gustav Löfman as a museum. Following the municipal merger, the Kodisjoki Blacksmith´s home and the local history museum came under the management of the Rauma Museum in 2007.

Collecting and safeguarding the Rauma lace-making tradition is one of the museum’s special tasks, in addition to collecting other aspects of local cultural history.

Rauma Art Museum

The Rauma Art Museum was opened in 1970. Its first curator was the painter Alpo Sarava, who suggested that the museum should be located in the Pinnala buildings in Old Rauma. The museum’s mission is to support and promote the visual arts in the region. It has been closely associated with the visual arts communities in Rauma. Today, the museum is part of the cultural and museum services of the City of Rauma.

This manor house, it is quite sweet. Now the artists have their very own place to be. It has seen many pains and hardships. You’ll know, if only you dig into its past times. It has felt wars and trials. When reminiscing about the old days. Looking at this, you’re sure to know it. That’s how old I am, although I speak to you. Today for you young, for all, for old people, too. It shares these noble pearls of art!

by “A museum builder” (1970)