The history of Furudals´s Bruk is situated of solitary banks of River Ore in Dalarna, far north of traditional mining district of Sweden. The Bruk was founded in early 18th century. At this timber, which was needed for the production of charcoal, was becoming scarce. Therefore the factories were spreading all over central Sweden, no longer staying within the traditional mining district.
In Dalarna, for Instance, no new factories were permitted to take up production in the vicinity of Falu copper mine. In 1709 the "Mechanique Captain" Birger Elfwing began running Furudal´s Bruk as a gun foundry. The main products werecannons needed for Karl Xll´s military expedition in Europe. Elwing started out with two hammer with two sheet metal hammers with one hearth each.
The Iron needed came from Elfwing´s own mines in Falun and Leksand. Birger Elfwing was something like a Leonardo da Vinci of Dalarna. Extremely innovative, he was remarkably well-educated for his time and had. among others, Christoffer Polhem as his teacher.
When Elfwing died in 1747 he left behind illustrations of submarine vessels, ingenious water and air powered harvesters, light attack cannons and ship compasses. Despite his genious he died a poor man. The production of weapons ceased after about 40years and the Bruk changed its production into bar iron and forged iron goods.
At this time, in 1752 American-born military auditor Benjamin Sandel took over the ownership of Furudal´s Bruk. He had visited the Bruk as a travelling companion of Linneus back in 1734 and noticed how the farmer were using iron ploughs. Benjamin Sandel started producing iron ploughs at the Bruk and was in doing so about 100 years ahead of his time. Not until 1850 did the production of such ploughs become common in the rest of Sweden.
1753-54 Sandel built the first Manor House in the Bruk. He started another foundry at Tenninge on Lake Skattungen and expended the hammers at the Bruk as well as making a new dam there.
In 1808 started the era of greatness in Furudal´s Bruk, with Isaak Gustaf Clason II in charge. This year the production of anchor chains began. The huge, strong anchor chains definitely placed Furudal´sBruk on the world map.
In 1856 the production reached its peak with 100 people working at the Bruk and 1450 people on the payroll. In the 1860´s a recession was brought on by the decreasing price on anchor chains and the increasing cost of production.
The two last owners of the Bruk who continued with forging were Pher Löf (1866-1879) and Wilhelm Kempe (1879-1886). It was under the ownership of Kempe that the last anchor chain was produced in 1883, finishing an era. The smiths then moved on to Norrljusne Sawmill and Iron Works in Hälsingland.
Parts of the original buildings still remain in the Bruk. Forge, offices and other facilities have been carefully renovated. On the western bank of the river are old worker`s barracks and their store house. On the eastern bank stands the Manor House are the remains of a park and about 1 kilometre down the river is the site of the second forge, started by Sandel.
Furudal´s Bruk in the 20th century
When the forging ceased in 1886, Korsnäs Sawmill AB, later to be called Korsnäs Marma AB, bought Furudal´s Bruk in order to gain access to the large areas of forest. From World War the Manor House was run as a first-rate boarding house. In 1973 the old school building in the Bruk was bought by language teachers Inger and Lennart Öhnell.
After renovation the old school they commenced language training in the Bruk. Since then almost all the old building have been carefully renovated and incorporated in Furudal`s Bruk Course Centre. The Bruk is now a meeting place for many nationalities and offers language training and preparation for international appointments.
The old building and the unique environment provide a stimulating atmosphere for language acquisition and conferences. South and east of the Manor House is now a nine-hole golf course. Unique environment provide a stimulating atmosphere for language acquisition and conferences. South and east of the Manor House is now a nine-hole golf course.
The Foundation of Furudal´s Bruk´s Cultural Building has established several museum in the Bruk. There is the Museum of Norwegian War Veterans that has its roots in the Second World War. There is also an Agricultural Museum where the visitor can follow the development of farming and forest machinery during the 20th century. Within the same museum is an exhibition of textile goods and traditional clothing. The Bruk can also offer a visit to the shoemaker´s workshop or to the old mill.