Verla Groundwood and Board Mill is a historic site located in the town of Verla in southern Finland. It is a well-preserved 19th-century industrial complex that was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1996.
The mill was founded in 1872 by Hugo Nauman, a German businessman, and his Finnish partner, Louis Haarla. It was originally a groundwood mill, which produced wood pulp using a grinding method that was invented in Germany in the mid-19th century. In the 1890s, the mill was expanded to include a board mill, which produced cardboard and other paper products.
The mill operated until 1964, and today it is a museum that showcases the history of the Finnish paper industry. The site includes the original mill buildings, machinery, and workers' housing. Visitors can tour the mill and see demonstrations of the paper-making process, as well as learn about the social and cultural history of the mill and the surrounding area. The site also includes a cafe and a gift shop.
Verla Groundwood and Board Mill is significant because it represents a unique example of 19th-century industrial heritage, and it is one of the best-preserved examples of a small-scale paper mill in northern Europe. It also reflects the innovative technology and entrepreneurial spirit of the era, as well as the social and cultural changes that were taking place in Finland during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.