Estonian Agricultural Museum is the central museum in its field in Estonia. It plays an important role in preservation of rural heritage and rural culture. We aim at reaching different target groups, offering knowledge, heritage, and entertainment through exhibitions, events, conferences, and active participation in hands-on activities.
Map of Our Facilities
- Main exhibition building (grain cultivation and animal husbandry exhibitions)
- Workshop (blacksmithing)
- Exhibition grounds (agricultural machinery and a windmill)
- Vehicle shed (historical carts, carriages, sleighs)
- Beekeeping building (beekeeping exhibition and library)
- Flax building (flax and poultry exhibitions)
- Barn building (grain, flax, and timber workshops)
- Bakery
- Cattle shed
- Arena
- Tourist information centre and museum café
- Mansion
- Picnic area
- Workshop – garage
Exhibitions
Our exhibitions are located in the historic auxiliary buildings of the manor estate. The exhibitions in the former stables of the estate give an overview of the development of grain cultivation throughout several centuries, and also about the history of livestock farming in Estonia. Various vehicles and carts are on display in the vehicle shed. Blacksmithing facility was built in 1886. The favourite spot for engineering hobbyists is the exhibition grounds where one can see agricultural machinery since the beginning of the 20th century, ending up with Soviet-time excavators and harvesters.
The cattle shed built in 1913 was one of the most modern ones in the whole of Soviet Union still in 1950s. During big cattle breeding shows the cattle shed is filled with cattle. The arena rebuilt from former manure pit houses events and concerts during summertime. Beekeeping history is on display in the cattle shed for young cattle, originally built in 1889. Exhibitions From Flax to Linen and Poultry Farming are on display in the facility built in 1990. A former shed is used for trying out ancient agricultural activities – processing flax, carpentry, or threshing grain.
Permanent exhibitions: Grain cultivation, beekeeping, livestock farming, poultry farming, flax processing, rural vehicles of the past, agricultural machinery, blacksmith’s workshop, windmill.
Temporary exhibitions: Viticulture in Estonia
Info on admission fees available here.
Programmes
In addition to exhibitions, there are various interactive programmes for all age groups:
- Rye Bread on Our Table -all year round – learning about grains, activities of grain processing, introducing the history of bread, baking rye bread, playing floor game “How rye bread is made?”. Tasting warm bread and butter.
- The Many Faces of Potatoes – all year round – introducing history, usage and health benfits of potatoes. Textile design with potato printing.
- What is Eco? – all year round - introducing Eco-foods, studying their advantages and benefits to health.
- Wool Ball, the Gold Ball - in January and February – sheep and other animals giving wool are introduced at the exhibition. Performing works related to getting and preparing wool. Knitting a scarf as a joint effort.
- Honey Masters – in May and September – introducing tasks and activities of bees, as well as importance in nature. Tasting beekeeping products.
- From Flax to Linen – all year round – visiting flax exhibition, hands-on processing of flax, getting to know how a horse-powered flax straw breaking machine works. Watching film and tasting flax flour mousse.
- Christmas programme - 5-16 December - Ancient Christmas customs and habits. Baking Christmas buns, making ornaments, observing animals in the shed, casting of molten tin into water to predict future, sleigh riding.
- Course on Making Stick Furniture – in April, May and August – Participants are taught to make beautiful and unique furniture out of a quickly renewable natural material – suitable for in garden or summer house.
- Course on Restoration – since September – the basics of furniture rostoration.
- Birch Bark and Thatch Workshops - since September – participants are taught to make traditional decorations and accessories of thatch and birch bark.
- Carpentry Craft Programme - all year round – participants are taught to make wooden spoons, butter knives, key rings, calendars and toys.
- Blacksmith Programme – all year round – introducing history of blacksmithing. Practising main activities of blacksmithing. Making some simpler objects.
Scientific work
Estonian Agricultural Museum is the central museum in its field. We aim at versatile preservation and introduction of the development of Estonian agriculture and rural life. This includes scientific research of our collections, and publication of the results and resources. Estonian Agricultural Museum is a research base for agricultural scientists, ethnologists, historians, social scientists, and so on. Our resources are widely used by creators of national culture, genealogists, teachers, students, and other interested parties.
Young scientists’ conference
Estonian Agricultural Museum organises young scientists’ conference on 22 October 2009.
The perspective presenters are students and young researchers with their papers on relevant issues of agricultural history and agricultural science, on new areas and trends in agriculture (20 minutes per presentation).
Agriculture and Rural Development through the centuries in Estonia
Agriculture and rural development introducing permanent exhibition is located in horse farm, which is builded in to Ülenurme manor at 1887.
At the 1976th began stable reconstruction to Estonian Agricultural Museum exposition house, building exterior appearance did not change. Permanent exhibition was opened at 1981. 3rd October 1986. a fire broke out, resulting completely destruction of the exposition. 1988th exposition house was re-opened.
At 2009 started building renovation was co-sponsored by the Ministry of Agriculture and the European Regional Development Fund.
At 2nd July 2010 was opened new exhibition”Agriculture and Rural Development through the centuries in Estonia“ in contemporary exposition house, which presents Agriculture and Rural Development through the centuries. Exposition has equipped with conditions for special need people (maps and prints in Braille writing, lift). There is also photo-storage and a studio.
On two floors you get overview on Estonian rural life, natural resource, production equipment and real estate, also relationship with the land and each other.
On the first floor you get overview on grain cultivation, organic farming, Potato-growing, industrial crops, agricultural societies and joint activities, immigration from Estonia to Russia in 1850-1918, March deportation in 1949.
Second floor provides an overview on cattle breading, on dairy, horses, big, sheep’s, on veterinary medicine, feeds, agricultural education, agricultural science and agriculture promoters.