12, December - 2021
The Makers // Røros Tweed
The mining town of Røros is situated over 600 metres above sea level, and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Copper discovered in the 17th century provided wealth to some, but the vast majority of the people of Røros remained poor. When the director of the mine Peder Hiort died in 1789, he left his fortune to a foundation set up to provide the community with an education in textile production. The foundation purchased the goods from the textile workers to sell, and at the end of the season any excess stock was given back to the community, very often, to the makers themselves. Peder Hiort’s will created a tradition for handicraft and textile production that sustained itself through the years and created the grounds upon which Røros Tweed was founded. In 1940, Røros Tweed was established as a sales outlet for handmade textiles.
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