Spillum Dampsag & Høvleri is a unique cultural monument that tells the story of the emergence of the modern sawmill and wood products industry in Norway. The National Heritage Board protects Spillum as a technical-industrial cultural monument of national value.
The forest was an important resource in the early industrialization of Norway, and an important export industry for Norway for many centuries. Although Spillum is no longer an active factory, it gives us an important indication of what wood means and has meant for the development of society.
- The sawmill was in operation for over a hundred years, and here we can clearly see the emergence of the modern sawmill and wood products industry in Norway. The first steam saw in Norway was actually built in Namsos, just a few hundred meters from where Spillum Dampsag & Høvleri is located today," says Hanna Geiran, National Heritage Officer.
Today's facility is operated as the Norwegian Sawmill Museum, which opened its doors in 1991. At the museum, visitors can experience a fantastic cultural heritage with both well-preserved buildings and machinery.
- The forest was a very important resource in the early industrialization of Norway. That's why it's extra fun that today we can follow an almost complete production line when you visit Spillum. From log to finished product on the shipping quay," says Geiran.
Forest resources and timber trade
The story of Spillum began in 1884 when Peter Torkilsen and other investors established Spillum Dampsag & Høvleri. The plant is located near the village of Spillum in Namsos municipality, in Trøndelag county. The forest resources from Namdalen were floated down the river Namsen and formed the basis for the timber industry in the area. The plant was in operation until 1986.
Until 1860, there were strict rules on who could start a sawmill. The abolition of the last sawmill privileges and access to new technology in the form of steam engines made it possible to saw all year round. This contributed to strong growth in the sawmill industry, particularly in the «chip towns» of Fredrikstad, Namsos and Lillestrøm.
Background for the protection
Industry is one of the Directorate for Cultural Heritage's priority themes for preservation. When Spillum is protected today, 10 of the 15 industrial facilities in the conservation program for technical-industrial cultural heritage will be protected. Since the start of the conservation program in 1997, the 15 technical-industrial facilities have been allocated around NOK 900 million from the state budget.
Today's facility at Spillum is a factory environment consisting of a large factory building with several production stages. The timber was transported by rail from the timber boom, via the car wheel, saw, dryer and planing mill before being transported to storage and shipping. In addition, there are several surrounding buildings with support and social functions. Spillum Dampsag & Høvleri and the development of Namsos as an industrial town are closely linked. There are many similar towns in Norway where industry has been the hub of development. Working conditions have improved, anti-pollution legislation has been introduced and technological development over the past 100 years has been formidable. The technical and industrial cultural monuments tell us how today's society has developed.
