Restored hammer forge at Næs Ironworks Museum celebrated by Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre in Norway

The hammer forge at Næs Ironworks Museum, which was historically used to forge long iron bars, has been restored and is ready for operation again. Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre attended the event to celebrate the restoration and expressed his excitement about the project. The reconstructed hammer is one of three that were in use for nearly 300 years, from the establishment of the ironworks in 1665 until a flood destroyed the intake dam in 1959.

The newly restored waterwheel-driven hammer weighs approximately 350 kilograms and is about ten meters long. Støre, with a background in a foundry family, mentioned his personal connection to the industry and highlighted the significance of the restoration.

Knut Aall, the museum’s director, described the completion of this restoration as a significant milestone after 50 years of work on reconstructions and restorations. The hammer, which operated for almost 300 years until destroyed by flood, will now be used for special events, making the museum a more engaging destination.

The museum plans to offer guided tours twice a week and is considering collaborations with local schools to educate students on this unique technology. Aall noted that while other countries have ironwork-related heritage, Norway has no other functioning hammer like this, making it a rare and valuable cultural asset. It is said that the sound of the hammer can be heard as far away as Lyngør, located 15 kilometers away. Næs Ironworks Museum is recognized as a nationally prioritized technical-industrial heritage site and has received the European Heritage label.