Albert Engströms museum i Grisslehamn, Roslagen

The Albert Engström Museum is located in Grisslehamn in Roslagen and tells the story of the artist Albert Engström. He lived here for much of his life and had his studio by the sea.

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Albert Engström Museum in Grisslehamn

We visited the Albert Engström Museum during our recent motorhome trip in Roslagen. The museum visit was completely unplanned. We checked in at the nice Grisslehamn Marina & Camping and went on a bike ride. When Albert Engström's museum appeared, we became curious.

The Albert Engström Museum is located in Grisslehamn, on the east coast, about 1.5 hours north of Stockholm by car.

Visiting the Albert Engström Museum

The Albert Engström Museum is mainly open during the summer, and we were lucky. We came here just before they start to reduce the opening hours. It's very popular to come here in the summer, and the café in the courtyard is usually full of people. "Welcome! Would you like to join the tour that starts in 15 minutes?" What a flow you have sometimes!

Who was Albert Engström really?

We can admit that we knew very little about Albert Engström before visiting the museum. We knew his name, and we had seen that drawing with the text "Crayfish demand these drinks". We didn't know much else, but that was about to change!

Albert Engström was born in 1869 in Lönneberga, in the neighbourhood of Eksjö, in Småland. You may think of Emil when you hear Lönneberga and yes, there is indeed a connection. Astrid Lindgren's father and Albert Engström were second cousins.

Engström's road to Roslagen may have been a bit bumpy, but he eventually ended up here, in Grisslehamn. The house was, as usual, a little way from the sea. But at the very edge, so that it almost plunged into the sea, he built his studio.

READ MORE: Öregrund in Roslagen - an idyll by the sea
READ MORE: Things to do in Norrtälje - the capital of Roslagen

Guided tour of the studio

Albert Engström's studio is almost magically beautiful, right there on the cliffs by the Åland Sea. Are you wondering why the house is red on the inside but white on the outside? It's because the building also serves as a nautical landmark for seafarers.

Right next to the studio is a beautiful sandy beach. Albert Engström traded this for a garden. However, the beach has never been closed, but always open for guests.

Then it was time for our guided tour. We were a small group that entered the studio and sat down on the soft cushions. The guide talked non-stop for 45 minutes and it could have been boring, but it never was. On the contrary, we didn't want it to end!

We heard about Albert Engström's upbringing. About how tricky it was to choose the artist's path when his parents had invested in an education to become something "serious", such as a priest. About how, over time, he became acquainted with exactly all important people in the cultural elite. How about a circle of acquaintances consisting of Carl Larsson, August Strindberg, Anders ZornErik Axel Karlfeldt, Verner von Heidenstam, Gustaf Fröding, Bruno Liljefors and others.

Optical telegraph

On the way back to the Albert Engström Museum, i.e. Albert's home, you pass the optical telegraph. An optical telegraph was inaugurated here in 1796 for official and military communications. Suddenly, you could communicate with Stockholm in less than half an hour - a big difference from horse transport which took 2-3 days. The telegraph that stands here today is a replica.

Tour of the Albert Engström house

We were then back where we started, at the museum that was once the home of Albert Engström. Here you can walk around by yourself and look around, while reading written information about the different rooms.

We really liked the elephant trunk lamp (new word). Isn't it beautiful?

It was also interesting to peek into the kitchen. We were most fascinated by the bench that can hold 300 eggs. Do you see it just below the window? Apparently birds' eggs were collected at this time, and it could be a whole bunch.

On the top floor you can see Albert Engström's bedroom and an exhibition of caricatures from another era. What strikes you is that it can't have been easy to be a woman during this time. Interesting museum!

More things to see and do in Grisslehamn

Grisslehamn is a cosy little archipelago town. From here you can take the Eckerö ferry to Åland. You can also stay at the luxurious Hotell Havsbaden or the beautiful Grisslehamn Marina & Camping.

READ MORE: Grisslehamn in Roslagen - 7 tips on things to do

Have you been to the Albert Engström Museum? How was your experience?

Facts about the Albert Engström Museum

Address: Engströms väg 11, Grisslehamn
Location: The museum is within walking and cycling distance from the centre of Grisslehamn.
More info: You can find more information on Albert Engström's website.

Opening hours

The museum and studio are open during the summer months. See the museum's website or contact the museum for more detailed opening hours.

prices

Adults: Entrance fee including guided tour 100 SEK
Children (under 16 years old and accompanied by an adult): Free.

Services and practical information

Toilets: There is a toilet.
Food service: In the "Brygghuset" opposite the museum is the Café Kalaset, which serves both food and sweets.
Shop: The museum has a small souvenir shop.

Tours and activities

Guided tours: During the summer, guided tours of the studio are organised.
Entertainment: Entertainment is organised on Wednesday evenings. See the programme on the Albert Engstöm website.
Albert Engstrom Day: On 4 July, Albert Engström Day is celebrated with entertainment and the awarding of the Albert Engström Prize,

Getting to the Albert Engström Museum

Car: From Stockholm, drive on the E18 towards Norrtälje. Take road 76 towards Svanberga and then road 283 towards Grisslehamn. Signs point to the Albert Engström Museum.

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19 Comments

Add yours →

Eva / Living like Eva says:

Interesting, I would like to visit that museum. He grew up near Eksjö, and Eksjö museum has a permanent exhibition about him too. (where I noted that he was not quite pk by today's standards ? )

25 August 2020 - 8:25

- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  Interesting! Yes, times do change, and sometimes that's a good thing! But it can be interesting to get an insight into history!
  
  25 August 2020 - 17:39
  
bmlarstravellingblog says:

We could imagine going there! I was at the museum in Eksjö last autumn and as the previous comment wrote, some pages from the ABC book were removed because it would definitely not be appropriate today. It was a really interesting exhibition anyway.

25 August 2020 - 13:07

- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  The museum in Eksjö also sounds interesting! Maybe we will have the opportunity to see it too on occasion! 🙂
  
  25 August 2020 - 17:42
  
JoY says:

Thank you for this guided tour, we have not been to one, only at the house/studio.

25 August 2020 - 19:00

- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  Glad you were there! We were lucky to arrive just in time for a guided tour!
  
  26 August 2020 - 18:31
  
Snows says:

What an interesting place to visit and what a wonderful location for a studio!

25 August 2020 - 19:40

- Sara says:
  
  The reason I found your site was because I saw your bikes at the museum when I took a walk from the beach by the studio. I have a cottage in the area so there are daily walks there with the dog when we are there. My Instagram feed is filled with so many pictures from the studio, the beach and the rocks that I get tired of myself! ??
  
  26 August 2020 - 17:50
  
  - Comment by post author
    
    Helena says:
    
    Sara, but what fun! 🙂 I understand you that there will be many pictures from here, beautiful views! 🙂
    
    27 August 2020 - 7:17
    
- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  The location is absolutely fantastic, inside you can hear the waves beating 🙂 .
  
  26 August 2020 - 18:32
  
BP says:

I would love to have a summer house there, what a location! I knew about as much (read: little) as you about Albert Engström. Now I know much more. Great fun reading.

25 August 2020 - 19:56

- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  Glad you appreciated the post! You learn a lot of unexpected things when you are travelling 🙂.
  
  26 August 2020 - 18:32
  
Ann-Louise Paulsson says:

So interesting and what a fantastic location for the studio. I had no idea that there was an Albert Engström museum in Grisslehamn, however, I have passed the Albert Engström museum in Eksjö many times but unfortunately never been inside.

25 August 2020 - 21:41

- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  On the other hand, I did not know about the museum in Eksjö. But now several have written about it, so it would be interesting to visit! 🙂
  
  26 August 2020 - 18:33
  
Lena in Wales and Spain says:

Oh, I'd like to go there.
My father was very fond of Albert Engström. It almost feels like I grew up with him. Dad had a lot to say about him and the gang around him. It's a pity that I didn't record him telling his stories, he was a good storyteller and he didn't let the truth spoil a good story. It was wonderful to sit next to Dad on the sofa and just listen to his stories.
I knew he was from Lönneberga, because my father used to talk about him whenever Emil was mentioned, which he often did when the children were young. But I didn't know about the family connection between Engström and Astrid Lindgren.
Thanks for a nice trip!

26 August 2020 - 9:55

- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  How nice that your dad could tell you so much about Albert Engström! Sounds so cosy when you tell his stories!
  
  26 August 2020 - 18:58
  
Tommy says:

The Roslaglsleden trail starts/ends at the studio if you want to hike...

26 August 2020 - 10:51

- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  Thanks for the tips, Tommy! 🙂
  
  26 August 2020 - 18:59
  
Lena - good for the soul says:

Well, then another museum I want to see popped up 🙂 First Pythagoras in Norrtälje and then this one. Perfect!

Hug Lena

27 August 2020 - 6:00

Albert Engström's museum in Grisslehamn, Roslagen.

Albert Engström Museum in Grisslehamn

Visiting the Albert Engström Museum

Who was Albert Engström really?

Guided tour of the studio

Optical telegraph

Tour of the Albert Engström house

More things to see and do in Grisslehamn

Facts about the Albert Engström Museum

Opening hours

prices

Services and practical information

Tours and activities

Getting to the Albert Engström Museum

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19 Comments

Eva / Living like Eva says:

Helena says:

bmlarstravellingblog says:

Helena says:

JoY says:

Helena says:

Snows says:

Sara says:

Helena says:

Helena says:

BP says:

Helena says:

Ann-Louise Paulsson says:

Helena says:

Lena in Wales and Spain says:

Helena says:

Tommy says:

Helena says:

Lena - good for the soul says:

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