Serlachius Museums – Gustaf

The themes of curious and surprising exhibitions of the Serlachius Museums Gustaf tell stories about the legends of industry as well as about art. The museum building, former head office of a forestry giant, is quite an attraction itself.

The topic subjects of exhibitions have a connection to history or art. Often they relate to life in a small Finnish town connected to paper industry. The main character of the permanent exhibition is Mänttä’s first mill owner Gustaf Adolf Serlachius. Infamous for his hazardous business affairs, Serlachius belonged to the pioneers of Finnish forest industry. The museum has been named after this erratic person.

The stories have the main role in Gustaf Museum. Curious and surprising exhibitions open themselves to the visitors by means of drama and different medias. The museum is well known and been awarded for its original exhibition implemetations. The dramatized history and interactivity is visible also in the group services that are available.

Magnificent head office



The impressive museum building was constructed as a head office of the forest combine G.A. Serlachius Ltd. in 1934. Gösta Serlachius wanted it to be a strong symbol of the company. The functionalistic office building was decorated by the works of well-known Finnish artists and equipped with up-to-date technical installations of its time.

Gösta Serlachius Fine Arts Foundation acquired the former head office in year 2000. It was opened for the public after a considerable renovation in 2003. It became the second museum of the Foundation in Mänttä.