Damphuset - a crucial part of the Thams history
The Thams family history dates back to the 17th century when a gentleman named Daniel fled the religious feuds in England via the Thames River. Legend has it that he took the name Thams in gratitude to the river.
In 1859 - 200 years after the escape, his great-great-grandson Wilhelm August Thams established a sawmill and lumber business in Ingdalen, which he moved to Orkedalsøren, now known as Orkanger, in 1867.
From steam house to event venue
Thams built up a significant business and acquired extensive forest properties. In 1872, the entire operation burned down, and it is said that the founder stood on the factory hill watching the fire when he remarked: Let the dirt burn, it's too small anyway.
After the fire, he handed over the sawmill business to his son Marentius, who further developed the operation and focused on, among other things, the further processing of planks. Steam power made it possible to move the operation here, and the Steam Engine House, as this fine brick building is colloquially known, was built after the fire to house the large steam engine purchased from England. Today, the steam engine house is the only building left from the traditional Strandheim Brug, which was one of Norway's first prefabricated house producers. From here, houses were sent to all corners of the world, and one of the most famous is the stave church built for the World's Fair in Chicago in 1893.
In 2010, the couple Iren and Eduard Poort purchased this brick house. The purpose was to clear and renovate it so that the beautiful historic building could be used again. Since the summer of 2012, the Steam House has been rented out for various events. From the beginning of the renovation, the focus has been on preserving the house's original facade. The interior reflects the house's history. In 2014, the Steam House received Orkdal Municipality's building tradition award.
It has been many exciting and educational years, during which the house has transformed from being purely a rental venue into a pleasant dining place, and now a complete event venue with a chef, hosts, and all necessary facilities.
