Norrbyskär

Norrbyskär is a small group of islands that used to be a the location of the largest steam powered sawmill in Europe. Today, the houses are used as summer houses. The head of the company, Frans Kempe, as a social engineer planned the whole community, including scholl, church, roads and homes. He was paying high wages to attract the best employes.

Tobacco and alcohol were forbidden on the island. In 1920, 1,400 people were working on the island. The company started having problems in the forties due to the transportation cost and the emergence of electricity as a source of power for the saws.

Workers were accommodated on the island. Smoking and drinking was prohibited. Salaries were very high in order to attract the best possible workers. Four families were living in such worker houses.

Barges were used to load the timber onboard sailing ships, to be delivered throughout the world.

The Museum is very informative about the big company that worked on the island for more than 50 years. It is absoutely worth a visit!