Glud Museum

About the museum

Glud Museum was founded in 1912 by the local master painter Søren Knudsen and describes itself as Denmark's first village museum. As a journeyman traveling in Germany, Knudsen had seen how old buildings were preserved and used as museums. Back in Glud, he saved the farmhouse of a farm slated for demolition – Rasmus Thomesøn's farm became the seed of the museum.

Until his death in 1955, Knudsen moved parts of eight rural buildings to the site and rebuilt them, advised by the Nationalmuseet for the first farm. He understood his complex as a miniature village. His own house, Hildesheim, from 1906 now houses an exhibition about the idiosyncratic founder and the museum's history.

Today the open-air museum comprises 15 historic buildings and structures with furnishings from 1662 to the 1950s – from plain farmhand rooms and the large half-timbered farm Badensminde to a 1950s summer house. The collection includes more than 30,000 objects on village life in what is now Hedensted Kommune. The former exhibition hall with agricultural implements had to be cleared at the end of 2025 for conservation reasons.

Glud Museum is the only state-recognized museum in Hedensted Kommune and is owned by an association; numerous volunteers look after the buildings and gardens. In summer 2026 the Børnebyen opened, a children's village in the style of the 1940s.

Highlights

• Rasmus Thomesøn's farmhouse with 17th-century furnishings
• Half-timbered farm Badensminde from the early 20th century
• Hildesheim, the home of museum founder Søren Knudsen
• Pilfingermuseet – a hands-on exhibition
• Børnebyen: children's village of the 1940s
• Historic kitchen gardens

Permanent exhibitions

• Pilfingermuseet – A home from the second half of the 19th century where everything may be touched – from the alcove bed to the cast-iron stove.
• Søren Knudsen – In the house Hildesheim, an exhibition tells about the museum founder and folklore collector Søren Knudsen and the history of the museum.
• Børnebyen – en landsby i børnehøjde – A children's village in the style of the 1940s with a hair salon, post office, barn with tractor, and pond, where children explore everyday country life through play.

Founded

1912

Operated by

Museumsverein (vereinsgetragenes, staatlich anerkanntes Museum)

Director

Helle Ingerslev

Admission & discounts

2026 seasonal prices for adults: spring (March 28–June 26) and fall (August 31–October 31) DKK 80, summer (June 27–August 30) DKK 95. Discounts via partners such as Ældre Sagen and JP Oplev. Payment by card, cash, or MobilePay.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

Firm paths and gravel roads allow a round through the village in a wheelchair; on the farms the cobblestones are partly uneven. Many houses are not wheelchair-accessible because of narrow doors and high stepping stones. Step-free accessible restroom near the entrance, benches on the grounds. Dogs are welcome, but not in the historic buildings (service dogs excepted).

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Hands-on stations
• Playground / play area

Play area with a skittle alley and a play shed full of old play equipment such as stilts, hobby horses, and barrel hoops. In the Børnebyen (since summer 2026), children may touch everything – from the hair salon to the tractor; in the Pilfingermuseet you can crawl into the alcoves. Holiday programs and a weekly museum club for 3rd to 6th grade.

Getting there & parking

Mailing address: Museumsvej 44, Glud, 7130 Juelsminde – between Horsens and Juelsminde. By car via the E45, exit 57, then follow the signs toward Juelsminde.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop

Self-service café with drinks and a little something sweet, on some days in summer with table service; groups can order afternoon coffee. Picnic at tables near the play area. Small museum shop in the ticket building with local products, old toys, and books on local history.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Corporate events

Up to 80 guests.

Historic team-building events, workshops, and shared meals by arrangement; hall for up to 80 people, coffee room for 18 people. Prices on request.

Plan your visit