Kaskinen – Beyond the Bridges?
If you want to visit Kaskö, you first have to cross the water, because Kaskinen is located on a small island. You can get there via Närpiö and the so-called Loc ...
Kaskinen – Beyond the Bridges?
If you want to visit Kaskö, you first have to cross the water, because Kaskinen is located on a small island. You can get there via Närpiö and the so-called Lock Bridge, or by taking the newer road from the east over dammed bays. Along this route, the sea opens up to the south. It's a beautiful drive.
Once in Kaskinen, you enter the grid plan area, which was already designed back in 1767. At Raatihuoneenkatu 48, you'll find Kaskinen Local Heritage Museum, which is well worth a visit. It's open every day during the summer.
Kaskinen Local Heritage Museum is housed in the combined home and business premises of Carl Daniel Renström, built in the 1850s. Renström was a shipowner, industrialist, and merchant. The building contains 12 rooms, each telling the story of the town of Kaskinen. The interior represents a bourgeois home, with period-furnished halls and salons, works by local artists, and a shipbroker’s office.
The museum’s valuable textile collection includes hats and garments belonging to bourgeois families in Kaskinen. Among the highlights is a wedding dress from 1822, which will be conserved this summer. The house also features an early 20th-century kitchen and a maid’s room.
The museum holds several rare items that belonged to the founder of Kaskinen, Peter Johan Bladh (1746–1816). These include silk bed linen, silk garters, and a silk wallet, as well as restored chairs that are still in use in the museum.
A substantial collection of works by local artists is displayed throughout the rooms. Visitors can admire several paintings by artist and alderman Thure Georg Sundell (1864–1924), whose motifs often depict Kaskinen and the archipelago.
Particularly noteworthy is the hall with ceiling paintings from the late 19th century, as well as the display cabinet with its interesting objects.
The association has produced two animated films about important figures in the town’s history. The film “Lovet” tells the story of Peter Johan Bladh, regarded as the true founder of the town, even though King Gustav III signed the charter. The second film focuses on shepherd Johan David Cneiff and his challenging mission to teach farmers improved sheep husbandry to produce high-quality wool and establish domestic textile production. Both films have been very well received and are about 15 minutes long.
One of the most pleasant spots in summer is the punch veranda overlooking the garden, which is currently being restored and will be completed next year. Renström was known for his punch, produced in his distillery. Historically, the garden extended all the way to Hamngatan, where the factory was located. In 2023, the relocation of a fisherman’s cottage from 1839 was completed; it is now furnished as a fisherman’s home.
Programme during the season
May Day is celebrated traditionally with mead, coffee, and pastries. A Museum Shop is now located at the entrance, offering self-published books, older Christmas annuals, and books about Kaskinen written by locals. The recent publication “Strömingan och päronen” received considerable attention in 2024. This year, the museum will publish a new book by Kalle Nissén, telling the story of his father Hilding’s voyage on the four-masted ship Passat to Australia in 1938–39 to collect wheat—an exceptional account of life aboard a sailing vessel for nearly a year.
The exhibition “Salt-Sprayed Sails” relates to the new book and presents sailors from Kaskinen who worked on ships owned by Åland shipowner Gustaf Eriksson.
On Sunday, 5 July at 6:30 pm, there will be an evening programme with sea shanties and short films related to the sea. Admission €15.
The exhibition “Our Wooden Town” showcases original drawings of the town’s protected wooden houses and includes background research. This material is particularly interesting for property owners, and images from the museum’s photo gallery are available for purchase.
The Kaskinen yard flea market event takes place on 25–26 July, with the museum participating through its own street sales.
On 22–23 August, the town hosts a Wooden House and Renovation Fair, making it an ideal time to visit the museum. The museum building and fisherman’s cottage are excellent examples of preserving—and even relocating—traditional wooden houses.
Note! Children are welcome throughout the season to search for Musselina and her cousins hidden in the rooms. Free admission for children.
On Sunday, 23 August from 1–5 pm, the Ostrobothnian Museum Day takes place, marking the final opening day of the season.
