In the early 1960s, a preservation plan was developed for the Engelsberg ironworks and other cultural environments in the Group. One priority task was to protect the historic business archive and prepare suitable premises for it. The idea to convert the former mill barn in Engelsberg, and to inaugurate a central archive there, was raised. The archive went into operation in 1968. In the 1970s, an extension that allowed a total capacity of approximately 14,000 shelf meters was built, in keeping with the architecture of the site.

The Engelsberg archive contains primarily all documents preserved from the companies and organizations owned by the Ax:son Johnson family and Nordstjernan. A cross-section of the history of twentieth-century Swedish industry is thus preserved in the archives. In some cases, the contents date back to the 1600s and 1700s.

Examples of companies that are documented in the Engelsberg archive include:

• A. Johnson & Co. (trading company founded in 1873 – now the Axel Johnson Group)
• Avesta kopparverk
• Avesta Jernverk
• Engelsbergs bruk
• Hedemora verkstäder
• Högfors bruk
• Johnson Line
• Karlstad Mekaniska verkstad
• Lindholmens varv
• Linjebuss
• NCC
• Norbergs gruvförvaltning
• Nynäs Petroleum
• Pershyttan
• Rederi AB Nordstjernan
• Sala silvergruva
• Stråbruken, also Svenska Väg, Nya Asfalt, JCC, ABV and SIAB.

The Engelsberg archive is owned and managed by Nordstjernan. It has limited capacity for visitors and researchers. Permission is required to access the archives. Notification of interest in a potential visit to the archives must be submitted well in advance. Use the application form below.

Questions about the archive are answered by Nils Johan Tjärnlund, Archive and Research Director, Nordstjernan.

Application form for permission for archival research in the Engelsberg archive