The cement that built Slemmestad. In 1888, Slemmestad was an agricultural area. The cement factory at Slemmestad started after people became interested in the area’s limestone deposits. The factory was an important part of Norwegian industry for many years and made cement, which was used to build roads and buildings, among other things.
The cement is ground into a fine powder and mixed to make concrete, one of the world's most important building materials. The factory was one of the first in Norway to adopt modern production methods, and it grew to become one of the largest cement producers in the country. Cement production peaked in 1973 when 1,082,677 tonnes were produced. A total of almost 29 million tonnes of cement were produced in Slemmestad.After more than 130 years of production, the factory was closed in 2014, and parts of the buildings are now preserved as cultural monuments.
The workers at the factory had many different tasks. Among other things, they worked on mixing raw materials such as limestone and clay, looking after the kilns where the cement was made, and packing the cement for further distribution. The work was heavy and required both technical knowledge and physical strength. In addition, they also had to make sure that the machines were in order and that the workplace was safe. Although technology has evolved, the work at the factory was hard, and the conditions were challenging for those who worked there.
The workers at Slemmestad Cementfabrikk received several benefits over the years. In the 1800s and early 1900s, working conditions were harsh, but gradually better wages, pension schemes, health insurance and improved health and safety were introduced. Workers were also given access to unions that protected their rights, as well as training and education to adapt to new technologies. In addition, holidays and leisure, social activities and local community support gradually became part of working life at the factory. There are strong traditions for going in the 1 May train from Heggedal to Slemmestad and followed by a party in Vollen.
Slemmestad Cement Museum contains objects, archives and photographs from Aktieselskabet Christiania Portland Cementfabrik which was located at Slemmestad and is part of Slemmestad library. Guided tours for groups, and can be opened on request in the library.
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