The Estonian Road Museum is a specialised museum created to introduce the history of roads not only from a scientific and educational point of view, but also from an entertainment point of view. The museum was founded by the Roads Board. The road, an important part of civilisation, is so familiar to us that we think of it no more no more than we think about the air we breathe.
The first to suggest the idea of a road museum was the legendary road builder Aadu Lass. The establishment of this institution began in the late 1990s. The location of the future museum was the Varbuse post station, built in 1863. Once upon a time Varbuse post station had a 33-horse stable and there was a regular postal service between Tartu and Võru.
The complex of the post station is an architectural monument and is under state protection. It consists of 5 buildings made of cobblestone and red brick. So, the museum includes the main building and the carriage barn, restored in 2001, the stables were renovated in 2004 and in 2005. the blacksmith's shop and the dwelling for coachmen and saddlers were restored in 2005. All all of these buildings are connected by a stone wall, thus forming a courtyard. In the hangar, built in 2003, there are cars that used to drive on the roads of Estonia, as well as the machinery used to build these roads.
The first step towards the creation of the museum, was the approval of the museum council. The board met for the first time met for the first time on 15 December 2000. This date is considered to be the birthday of the road museum. Thanks to the efforts of the first museum director, Marge Rennit, the institution was opened on 6 June 2005.
You can take a ride through the former post station in a unique postal carriage pulled by two beautiful horses. In this way you will get an idea of what it was like for the characters in old adventure books and films in the days when the main means of transport was by horse-drawn carriage. The shaking and and bumpiness in a carriage is, of course, hard to compare with riding in a comfortable modern car, but it's certainly worth taking this little trip.
On the territory of the museum there is a section of road, passing along which you can plunge into different epochs. The road starts from a gat (a wooden plank through a flooded area or swamp) and ends with asphalt. Along the roadside you will be you will be accompanied by the changing living environment of the past centuries.
The Estonian Road Museum has recreated a replica of a petrol station and petrol pumps from the 1960s, which will surely evoke nostalgic feelings. In addition, next to the petrol station door there's also a soda machine.
Both adults and children will find it interesting to visit the mini-town. There are electric cars that look like real cars. Moreover, not only children, but also adults can ride it. The bravest can try to ride historical big-wheeled bicycle.
Also on the territory of the museum there is a bus, made in 1943 and got here as a trophy in the end of the World War II. The restored bus gives rides along the Postal Route.
On the day of the post station, i.e. 28 May, there is an annual celebration which attracts a large number of old cars. In June, Family Day is held, when children and their parents can enrich their knowledge of road traffic. A 32-seat training room is equipped for seminars. In addition, for those for those who wish to stay overnight, there is a guest house with 8 beds. The opportunity to have a snack is offered by the Varbuze Tea House. The basket of provisions you took with you can be unpacked at the picnic area.
