HISTORY OF THE MUSEUM

The History of Morsø Iron Foundry and the Foundry Museum

The Foundry Museum tells the story of Morsø Iron Foundry – a company that has left its mark on both Mors and the rest of Denmark. It all began in 1853, when the young N.A. Christensen left his position as a bookkeeper in Thisted and settled in Nykøbing with his friend Wilhelm Bonne. This was the start of a small iron foundry with just a few employees – in a building that still stands close to the museum today.

Bonne soon moved on, leaving Christensen in sole charge. The company grew steadily, and its products – tiled stoves, cookers, window frames, pots, and irons – found their way across Denmark despite fierce competition. Around 1900, the foundry employed 250 people, including blacksmiths, moulders, turners, carpenters, and unskilled workers.

In 1886, Christensen retired and handed over management to K.E. Messerschmidt. Christensen moved to Hellerup, but the factory in Nykøbing continued to grow. In 1913 and 1944, the distinctive buildings that today house the Foundry Museum and the library were constructed. At the time, the area was a maze of large and small buildings – yet production was well-organized, and Morsø Iron Foundry delivered exactly what the market demanded.

After difficult years during and around World War II, the 1950s brought prosperity. The factory modernized its production methods, expanded its range, and hired renowned designers to create contemporary kitchenware – including the popular Copco series.

However, wood-burning stoves once again became the company’s core focus, and by the 1980s, they were the main product. In 1993, Morsø Iron Foundry moved out of the town into modern facilities. Some of the old factory buildings were partially demolished, but several of the beautiful and characteristic structures remain – and this is where you’ll find the Foundry Museum today.