Background

Batteri Helsingborg was used as part of Sweden's defense during the years 1940 - 1990. When the Cold War ended, the facility was decommissioned. Everything would be bricked up again. Staffan Forsberg at the Fortifications Agency saved the cannon Maja and had the cannon protected by a constantly working dehumidifier. In front of the cannon, the trees grew tall and soon no one saw that there was a bunker in the small forest grove. Hidden underground was a walled-off battle command center, a hospital bunker, more bunkers with possibly the cannons left, and a host of other spaces. Johan and Marie decided that Batteri Helsingborg had to be taken care of.

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In the autumn of 1996, Godsägare Gustaf Trolle gave permission to Johan and Marie Andrée to start work on building the future Preparedness Museum on Gustaf Trolle's land in Djuramossa, Helsingborg. Under the ground was the plant, which was now allowed to be excavated. The goal was to bring the walled-up facility Batteri Helsingborg to life. No one knew what work would be required. The mottos that guided the work were: "Nothing is impossible, the impossible just takes a little longer" and "What doesn't kill hardens".

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The three red threads for the Preparedness Museum's historical activities were determined by Johan Andrée:

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- Batteri Helsingborg's history in the years 1940 - 1990,

- Coastal Artillery History 1940 - 1990, 

- History of the Second World War with an emphasis on the readiness period in Sweden in 1939 - 1945.

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The financing

"Project Preparedness Museum" needed money, a lot of money. Johan and Marie Andrée had no financial assets. What was there was their indomitable will to build up the museum. Marie visited Handelsbanken and convinced the bank that it was clearly economically reasonable to build a museum out of a walled defense facility from the days of the Second World War, located in a field a mile from the nearest town. Marie Andrée was loaned SEK 200,000 (two hundred thousand) by Handelsbanken in exchange for her and Johan giving a personal guarantee with a liability of SEK 300,000. The bank clerk was more than hesitant…

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On June 30, 1997, the museum was inaugurated. A financially shaky time lay ahead for Johan and Marie, but shame on those who give in. In the early years, visitors came to the museum and said: "I thought I'd visit this place before you guys shut down". Not so fun to hear for Johan and Marie, but it strengthened the will to continue.

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The museum operations were built up and inaugurated without contributions from taxpayers. The operations of the Preparedness Museum are still completely visitor-financed, i.e. the revenue from visitors to the museum goes to pay for the operations. Since the Preparedness Museum does not receive state, municipal or regional grants, the museum operations are completely free from political control.

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If you want to contribute to the preservation of the objects and the business, feel free to donate to the Foundation's bankgiro, 5265-9638, or send a donation to 123 380 81 10.

 

The organization

At the time of writing, a quarter of a century has passed since the inauguration. Marie Andrée, lawyer, is chairman of Stiftelsen Beredskapsmuseet, which was established in 1999 to protect museum objects and museum operations. The organizational order for the Preparedness Museum is planned so that the Foundation will keep the museum objects together regardless of who or who are responsible for the visitor activities at the Preparedness Museum. According to the statutes, the Foundation may not expose the objects to financial risks, and the Foundation may not dispose of objects that the Foundation has received. The foundation is under the supervision of the County Administrative Board. Every three years, the Foundation receives a grant from Inga Svensson's foundation for the promotion of Scanian culture. The grant is used for purchases, repairs and exhibitions. Johan Andrée, who after five years of university studies has a master of philosophy in history, is responsible for the historical activities.

 

Ever since the opening, the Preparedness Museum in Djuramossa AB has been responsible for keeping the museum open, developing and looking after it. The Preparedness Museum in Djuramossa AB has no connection to the Foundation's object collection. Since there is no connection between the Foundation and the Preparedness Museum in Djuramossa AB, the operation of the museum can be handled by anyone the Foundation deems suitable for the task. 

The future

Johan and Marie Andrée have a number of goals for the next 20 years. When these years have passed, the Preparedness Museum is expected to be fully completed, ready for the future with planned interchangeable exhibits for generations to come. The contribution from Inga Svensson's foundation and board members EliSophie Andrée and Leo Andrée ensure the foundation's survival.

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More information

If you have any questions about the operation of the Preparedness Museum, or if you want advice on your existing, or your future, museum operations, you are most welcome tocontact the Preparedness Museum via e-mail.

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