Björkåsen manor is a grand and prominent estate in Glava in Värmland, Sweden. It has graced the hillside of Glava for more than 100 years and has a colourful history.
The manorial building was erected in 1908-1910 at the initiative of Mr Emil Larsson, the General Manager of Glava Glasbruk, a glassworks of then world-wide renown.
In its early days it was used as a lavish and cutting-edge care centre for the elderly. The manor served in this capacity for 20 years.
In 1935 the estate was converted to a home for ‘disobedient’ girls, i.e. girls who did not conform to the current expectations of proper behaviour in a female. During this period the estate was referred to as Björkåsen (Birch Hill).
In 1941 the place was completely refurbished and opened as a home for ‘feebleminded’ boys, i.e. boys with learning disabilities.
For the next 50 years Björkåsen was run as a home for children with mental disabilities, for both genders since the 1960s. The four annexes on the property were erected in 1960 for this purpose.
From 1994 – 2010 the estate’s name was changed back to Glava and run as a hotel with pub and restaurant, a stable of horses and horse track. The stables still remain on the property.
From 2012 – 2017 the property was used as a first home in Sweden for refugees.
In 2020 Glava Estate was purchased by a Norwegian couple, the adventures of whom you may read about on the blog pages on this website.