The Pram Museum in Karu was created by a film director, Aljona Surzhikova, and film producer Sergei Trofimov in 2018. Now this is a place that takes you back in time and it is very famous in Estonia, but tourists from abroad as well find their way to the unique museum.
The museum’s collection comprises approximately 350 strollers: prams from 18th-century England, aristocratic strollers of Central Europe, Germany, Austria, the Czech Republic, those from 19th-Century Europe, a unique stroller dating to 1928, the first Republic of Estonia.
The excursion shows guests our historic exhibition and lets you learn about the daily lives of 18th and 19th century Europeans. What did the sidewalks of the time look like, and how were the old strollers different from the current ones?
During the excursions for younger visitors, we focus more on the history of toys and how the children of the past used to play.
For groups of lower and upper secondary school students, we mention historical events in Europe, the Industrial Revolution in England, the Victorian age, the Czarist time in the Governorates of Estonia and Livonia in the 18th and 19th centuries, the production of strollers during the first Republic of Estonia. Memory and history, term definitions of the best philosophers in the world.
From the beginning the museum functioned as a volunteer organisation, the local people of Karu village supported the renovation of the buildings in the centre of the village.
Aljona Surzhikova says: “First we rented a house in the old railway station, and we did an exhibition there. Then we rented another house, the main building of the railway station. It was in a very bad condition, and we asked people to come and help us. A lot of Karu people responded and helped paint the house, put in electricity and renovate windows. Very soon we opened an exhibition about twins and triplets and their strollers. Karu is in the middle of Estonia, one hour from Tallinn by car or by train. Our museum is just where the train stops in Karu. And when visitors come, they have a tour around the museum, which takes about one and a half hours, and then they always ask: where we can eat now? In 2019, we bought a house for the museum; it was a very old, Estonian workers’ house from 1930. We thought that we would do an exhibition there, too, but after years of successful work in the railway station building, we understood that we need a place for groups to have a rest, to have coffee and even to sleep. In 2022, we got support from Enterprise Estonia foundation for the development of services of the museum, and we built the coffee shop and installed historical flats. We called this house Kerro residence.”
For this great and hard job Aljona Surzhikova received a prize from the President of Estonia, Alar Karis, as the missionary of the year 2023.
Experience a journey through time at Kerro Residence, where history comes to life in our unique and meticulously restored historical flats. Step into the captivating ambiance of the 1920s, 1930s, 1960s, and 1980s as we transport you back to the glamour and charm of each era. Indulge in the comfort of our 2-room flats, each exquisitely designed to immerse you in the distinctive style of its respective period. Every corner is adorned with carefully curated decor and furnishings that encapsulate the essence of the time, allowing you to relive the past while enjoying modern amenities. Whether you’re a history enthusiast, an architecture admirer, or simply seeking a one-of-a-kind getaway, Kerro Residence offers an unparalleled experience. Join us in embracing the past while revelling in the comforts of the present. Your extraordinary journey awaits. Book your stay today and become a part of history at Kerro Residence. The salons on the ground floor are suitable for communal activities and are regularly used for events. Immerse yourself in the charm of our historical flats, available as part of a tour around the Pram Museum, or simply rent one for your own special holiday. In summer, we accommodate up to 12 guests. The event venue is suitable for 25 people.
From October 2024, the Kerro Residence’s artist-in-residence program will start.
More information karumuuseum.ee
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