Écomusée du Bois et de la Forêt

Écomusée du Bois et de la Forêt. This institution is a specialized museum dedicated to the heritage of forestry, woodcraft, and the ecological history of the Vosges mountain region. Established in the 1980s, it operates as a classic ecomuseum, integrating the preservation of a historic site with the interpretation of local industry and environment. Its mission focuses on educating the public about traditional timber extraction, the evolution of sawmill technology, and the sustainable management of forest ecosystems.

History

The museum's foundation is intrinsically linked to the preservation of the historic Sawmill of Haut-Fer, a water-powered facility dating to the 19th century, located near the village of Labaroche. The initiative emerged during a period of growing interest in industrial archaeology and regional heritage in Alsace, spearheaded by local historians and the Société d'Histoire du Val de Villé. Key figures in the French forestry administration and researchers from the National School of Water and Forests provided early technical expertise. Its development paralleled other regional ecomuseums like the Écomusée d'Alsace and the Musée du Bois in Soucht. The site was formally inaugurated as a public museum following renovations supported by the General Council of Haut-Rhin and the former Regional Council of Alsace.

Collections and Exhibitions

The core collection is centered on the fully operational mechanisms of the historic Sawmill of Haut-Fer, featuring its large water wheel, transmission systems, and reciprocating saws. Permanent exhibitions display an extensive array of traditional forestry tools, including felling axes, crosscut saws, and broadaxes used by log drivers on rivers like the Thur. The museum holds a significant collection of horse-drawn logging equipment, such as skidders and logging arches, illustrating pre-mechanized transport. Archival materials, including maps from the National Forestry Office and photographs from the Albert Schweitzer family archives, document the changing Vosges landscape. Temporary exhibitions have addressed topics like the impact of the bark beetle and the history of the Resin tapper profession in the Landes forest.

Location and Facilities

The museum is situated in the hamlet of Haut-Fer within the commune of Labaroche, in the Haut-Rhin department of the Grand Est region. It occupies a forested parcel in the Valley of the Weiss, a tributary of the Fecht, utilizing the original watercourse to power the sawmill. The facilities include the restored mill building, an adjacent exhibition hall constructed with local spruce and fir, and several hectares of interpretive forest trails. The site is accessible via the D11 road and is part of the tourist circuit of the Alsace Wine Route and the Ballons des Vosges Nature Park. Visitor amenities include a workshop space for woodturning demonstrations and a small boutique.

Educational and Cultural Activities

The museum's educational program offers guided tours detailing the process from tree felling to finished plank, often involving live demonstrations of the water-powered saw. Workshops teach traditional skills such as shingle making, cooperage, and the identification of local tree species like silver fir and European beech. It hosts annual cultural events including the "Fête du Bois" and collaborates with institutions like the University of Strasbourg and the Lycee Agricole de Rouffach for student fieldwork. The museum participates in national events like the European Heritage Days and the Night of Museums, often featuring themes related to the Cevennes National Park or the work of Georges Plaisance.

Management and Organization

The museum is managed by a non-profit association, "Les Amis de l'Écomusée du Bois et de la Forêt," under the legal framework of the French law of 1901. Operational oversight involves a board of directors comprising local elected officials from the Communauté de communes de la Vallée de Kaysersberg, forestry professionals, and academic advisors. It receives financial support and accreditation from the Direction Régionale des Affaires Culturelles of Grand Est and maintains partnerships with the National Office of Forests and the French Biodiversity Office. The scientific committee includes researchers affiliated with the Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique and curators from the Musée des Arts et Métiers. Volunteer efforts, coordinated through the Union Rempart, are crucial for the maintenance of the historic machinery and grounds.

Category:Museums in Haut-Rhin Category:Forestry museums Category:Ecomuseums in France