June 15, 2026
The museum building in Hermelinsparken is undergoing extensive renovation – at the same time as a new county museum director has taken office. In two features on P4 Norrbotten we talk about the renovation, the investments and the plans for the future.
Norrbotten Museum has been closed since 2024 due to ongoing renovation of the building. What was initially limited to window renovation has developed into a larger project that also includes electricity, ventilation, heating, security and alarms. The building is 90 years old and needs extensive maintenance.
– When it was only about the window renovation, the plan was to open after a year, but the plan has changed in line with the measures that need to be taken in the building, says County Museum Director Lennart Pettersson.
When the museum reopens, new exhibitions await. One of them will tell the story of Norrbotten's history - from the time the ice melted until today. The premises will also create better conditions for displaying objects from the collections thanks to a more controlled climate.
– It will be a big boost for the museum. We will be able to display objects that previously could not withstand the variations in temperature and humidity, says exhibition producer Henrik Ygge.
The initiative also includes a developed play environment for children and young people. The popular play environment is being renovated, while new features are being added to create a larger and more cohesive environment for children and young people.
Even though the museum building is closed, operations are still in full swing. The museum meets the public through traveling exhibitions and programs in the county – which will continue in the future.
– We want to be even more present in Norrbotten and continue to develop our public activities in the county. I also want the museum to be a place that conducts research into the county's history and culture, says Lennart Pettersson.
An exact opening date has not yet been set, but the ambition is clear:
– We will announce a date when we know we can keep it, says Lennart Pettersson.
Listen to the interview with Lennart Pettersson (121 minutes into the broadcast), and interview with public department manager Anna Lundgren and exhibition producer Henrik Ygge (148:30 minutes into the broadcast).