Herningsholm Museum

About the museum

The Herningsholm manor house was built in 1579 by the Holstein nobleman Josua von Qualen. Unusual for central and western Jutland was the layout as a fortified estate with a moat, ramparts, and corner bastions armed with cannons. After von Qualen's death, his widow married Baron Siegfried von Rindscheid, who as a violent lord of the manor came into conflict with peasants, the church, and finally the king, and was convicted in 1609. Around 1754 Hans Adolph von Hielmcrone, later its owner, had the estate rebuilt in a plain Neoclassical style; under Christian Rantzau, Herningsholm became the starting point of systematic wool production, from which the central Jutland textile industry later emerged.

In the 20th century the building was used by the civil defense, among others. From 1968 Herning Museum took part in the restoration, and in 1980 the Blichermuseet moved in. The foundation had been laid by the poet Jeppe Aakjær in 1925 with his extensive Blicher collection, which he made available for an exhibition in Herning.

Since 2017 the house has been called Herningsholm Museum and belongs to Museum Midtjylland, which also runs the Frilandsmuseet Herning, the Tekstilmuseet, and the Klosterlund Museum. On display are original manuscripts, first editions, book illustrations, and personal belongings of the "heath poet" Steen Steensen Blicher (1782–1848), paintings by the heath painters, and the exhibition "Når trådene bindes – fra kriger til kræmmer" about four formative owners of the estate. The Knights' Hall and the Painters' Hall show old wall paintings; a small park surrounds the house.

Highlights

• Oldest building in Herning (1579), once a fortified manor
• Blicher collection with original manuscripts and complete first editions
• Exhibition "Når trådene bindes – fra kriger til kræmmer" about four estate owners
• Riddersal and Malerisal with old wall paintings and heath painting
• Small historic manor house park

Permanent exhibitions

• Når trådene bindes – fra kriger til kræmmer – Four influential owners of the estate come to life in the original rooms with sound, pictures, tailored replica garments, and instruments of punishment, from the fortress lord to the wool merchant.
• St. St. Blicher – hedens digter – Collection on the life and work of Steen Steensen Blicher with manuscripts, book illustrations, personal items, and all first editions.
• Riddersalen og Malerisalen – Reception rooms of the manor house with old wall paintings and paintings by the heath painters.

Founded

1980

Operated by

Museum Midtjylland (selbstständige, staatlich anerkannte Institution)

Director

Kristine Holm-Jensen (Museumsdirektørin von Museum Midtjylland)

Visitors per year

approx. 5,867 (2025)

Admission & discounts

Museum association members free. Tickets and annual pass (Årskort) for all Museum Midtjylland sites in the online shop.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: not available
• Elevator: not available
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

Listed manor house: no step-free access to the building, no elevator to the upper floor, and thresholds between all rooms. Restrooms on the first floor at the coatroom and on the second floor. Pets not allowed; guide dogs for the blind welcome.

Kids & families

• Stroller-friendly: not available
• Baby changing facilities: not available

For safety reasons, strollers are not allowed in the exhibition rooms; no baby changing facilities.

Getting there & parking

The manor house is in the northeast of Herning; GPS address Herregårdsparken 1, 7400 Herning.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop
• Coat check

Small museum shop with books and toys (cash, card, MobilePay). Free coatroom; large bags, backpacks, and umbrellas are not allowed in the exhibition. Eating and drinking not allowed in the exhibitions; benches in the courtyard and in the park.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Weddings / ceremonies

Civil weddings in the Riddersal from April to September (booking through Herning Kommune); subsequent reception in the historic rooms with catering by the museum by arrangement.

Plan your visit