Stiftelsen Gene fornby - The Gene Iron Age Farm foundation (SE)

In 1982, the "Pionjärbyn" (pioneer village), which is now known as Gene Fornby was founded. It is organised under the Örnsköldsviks museum & konsthall which organises the development of the centre, its maintenance and research. Commercial activities are in other hands. In the years 2005 – 2007, Gene was under re-development, still having archaeologists involved, like form the beginning.

Both the houses and the ships are long term monitoring experiments. There are also forestry experiments, with ringing pine trees. Both the university and the local museum are involved in short term experiments like with fire, smelting iron et cetera.

The purpose of Gene is identity making, mainly concerning the children in the municipality. The research is also very important and the challenge is to make the results understandable for everyone. Tourism is important as well, as way of getting the other activities funded. Living history is Gene’s means for both education and tourism, and it is necessary to have the skills to do research. Experiments is a great part of the research, apart from the own excavations. The Centre is very important for the regional development. Research and education is the most important, using Living history and experiments. During the Summer season, Gene Fornby houses people in period dress as well as a living history group.