Near the church of Elm, is the slate factory. After slate production ceased in 1983, the "Stiftung pro Elm" acquired the historic factory buildings with the aim of preserving for posterity the last witnesses of the slate trade that once flourished in the Sernftal. All the tools, the unique and special equipment and the machines driven by transmission belts are still present and fully functional. Slate dust, sawdust and the smell of glue permeate the factory rooms. The old handicraft is presented to you today - paired with the most modern museum pedagogy - in an exciting and impressive way.
During the guided tour of the Elm slate factory, which lasts one and a half hours, you will learn how the best-known writing and jade boards were made in Elm. With the unique machines still in working order, you will be shown how the slate products were made. Closely connected to the history of slate mining and processing in the Sernftal valley is the tragedy of the devastating landslide of Elm on September 11, 1881.