History
For 130 years, Rauma Museum has been guided by the local tradition of lace-making and the history of the city. The Rauma Art Museum has been promoting the visual arts in the region for over 50 years. The museums merged in 2019 to become the Rauma City Museums.
Rauma Museum
The Rauma Museum was founded in 1891 and is one of the oldest museums in Finland.
The museum was founded by private citizens of Rauma, but in the year following its foundation, the city of Rauma took over the museum after it was offered by the founders. The first actual exhibition open to the public opened in the Old Town Hall in 1904. The museum had taken over the upper floor of the building in 1902, but it was not immediately possible to open the exhibition to the public on a regular basis. In the 1930s, the museum took over the entire Old Town Hall. In the late 1970s and early 1980s, two new museums were opened: the Kirsti home of sailors and craftsmen in 1979 and the Marela home of shipowners in 1982.
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)
