From farm forge to industrial production

The metal industry in Osterøy has made it through changes and challenges and is still viable. Several of the companies that still run have their roots in the small rural forges that made fittings and locks for the coffin and furniture industry, or from the plastering companies that made taps and door knobs in the latter half of the 19th century.

In 1910, there were over 50 blacksmiths in Osterøy, and most of these had blacksmithing as their sole occupation. In Gjerstad and Solbjørg alone, there were 11 blacksmiths who made tools and locks.

The larger industrial forges, with more employees, had their glory days from the end of the 19th century until the Second World War. In the interwar period there were recessions and several of the forges disappeared.

At the museum we have objects from several forges that produced scythes, ploughs, knives and locks. About 100 meters from this museum is the "Gjerstad lock factory", or Bløddalsmia. Locks were produced here between 1887 and 1968.