Varjakka sawmill milieu as a cultural heritage site for diverse actors

Authors

• Tiina Äikäs University of Oulu https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3575-7236
• Tiina Kuokkanen University of Oulu
• Annemari Tranberg University of Oulu https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9445-7703
• Tiia Ikonen University of Oulu

DOI: https://doi.org/10.33355/tw.103402

Keywords:

sawmill, heritagization, industrial heritage, site biography

Abstract

Old industrial sites have lately gained attention, because they have been teared down, renovated to residential areas, and used as recreational places. Some industrial sites have been used in urban exploration or as a stage for artistic projects. In this article, we discuss the changing meanings of an industrial site using the Varjakka sawmill area near Oulu as a case study. By using material culture, historical sources, and oral history we examine the site biography of Varjakka sawmill site from the early days of the mill to this day and even further. This article is based on the materials gained through excavation, mapping of the site, collected oral history, and going through document archives. We discuss the future of sawmill sites as protected spaces, as stages of activities, as part of local identity, and as part of archaeological heritage. We want to address how the abandoned industrial sites gain new meanings and ways of use through heritagization. We also examine the different actors and their role in the heritagization process.