The Polhem Museum

At the small and intimate Polhem Museum, you can gain insight into what this remarkable man, Christopher Polhem, was up to in Stjärnsund. Here you will find various objects and models of all kinds—locks, clocks, household items. Some of the models from Polhem's mechanical alphabet are also here, which were prototypes for better developing the transmission of water power, primarily to mines.

house has a preserved mansard roof made of sheet metal. Nearby is Goude's watchmaking workshop, which is still in operation. Christopher Polhammar was born on Gotland in 1661 and left the island at a young age. His talent was discovered early, and he was considered something of a wizard. As a student in Uppsala, he managed to repair the medieval astronomical clock in the cathedral within two years. After this achievement, he was summoned by King Charles XI and demonstrated his inventions, which impressed the king, who rewarded him with a pension of 500 silver dalers per year. He became the Director of Mining Mechanics in 1698 and in 1700, the Master of Mining at Stora Kopparberget in Falun. He was knighted in 1716 and took the name Polhem. The idea for the manufacturing plant in Stjärnsund was conceived during a study trip in Europe. Together with Gabriel Stiernkrona, he found the location for a manufacturing plant in 1699 at Sund in the parish of Husby. A large facility was built here, which by 1734 employed 200 people. A variety of goods were produced, such as kitchen utensils, mangles, saws, jacks, auxiliary machines for various crafts. Clock manufacturing also began early on. In 1735, Polhem moved away from Stjärnsund. Polhem was involved in projects across the country, including locks at Trollhättan, dry docks, canals, dams, mine hoists, and various types of rod mechanisms throughout Bergslagen.