Museum WILLEMOES

About the museum

Willemoesgården at Østergade 36 is among the oldest houses in Assens. The eight-bay-deep gabled house was built in the 17th century at the corner of Kindhestegade. When the wholesale merchant Erich Nielsen took over the farm in 1675, he had the gateway rebuilt; the beam above it still bears an inscription from that year. For a long time the property served as a merchant's yard and warehouse, at times also as an administrative office where farmers and townspeople paid their taxes and where the district administrator lived with his family.

During this time, Peter Willemoes was born here in 1783, son of the district administrator Christen Christensen Willemoes. At twelve he went to the Naval Cadet Academy in København. In the Battle of Copenhagen Roads on April 2, 1801, the just 17-year-old commanded a floating battery with 24 cannons facing large English ships of the line and was already regarded as a hero in his lifetime. In 1808 he fell at Sjællands Odde aboard the ship of the line Prinds Christian Frederik. After the family moved away in 1795, the house became a merchant's yard again; in 1914 the municipality bought it, and it has been a listed building ever since.

Today the building belongs to Museum Vestfyn. The WILLEMOES exhibition asks what heroes mean to us today and lets eyewitnesses have their say, such as a diver who recovered finds from the wreck. Also on view are two paintings by Christian Mølsted of the naval battles. On the first floor you may touch things, and a maritime activity room invites you to steer and navigate; on the upper floor a small exhibition tells the history of the house.

Highlights

• Birthplace of the naval hero Peter Willemoes (1783–1808)
• Paintings by Christian Mølsted of the Battle of Copenhagen Roads in 1801
• Finds from the wreck of the Prinds Christian Frederik
• Maritime activity room with steering wheel and historic compass
• Gate beam with inscription from 1675

Permanent exhibitions

• WILLEMOES – Exhibition about the naval hero Peter Willemoes and the question of what significance heroes have today – with paintings, wreck finds, and hands-on stations.
• Willemoesgaarden – Small exhibition on the upper floor on the history of the house as a merchant's yard and administrative office.

Operated by

Museum Vestfyn

Director

Johan Møhlenfeldt Jensen

Admission & discounts

Admission at the ticket desk. Free admission with ODM or ICOM card, press card, Kulturpas (culture pass), and for members of Vestfyns Museumsforening (DKK 200 per year).

Accessibility

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

The exhibition buildings of Museum Vestfyn have level changes and stairs and are difficult to access for guests with mobility impairments. No accessible restroom. On the first floor, objects may be touched. In the exhibitions only service dogs.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Hands-on stations
• Stroller-friendly: not available
• Baby changing facilities

The exhibition is designed for play and discovery for children and adults: on the first floor you may touch things, and in the maritime activity room you can operate a steering wheel and navigate with a compass more than 100 years old. Family events on special event days, e.g., Apple Festival and Halloween. Strollers stay outside; baby changing available.

Getting there & parking

The house is located on Østergade in the old town of Assens, at the corner of Kindhestegade, a few steps from Museum ERNST.

Amenities & dining

• Café: not available
• Restaurant: not available

Museum Vestfyn café in the nearby Museum ERNST (Østergade 57).

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.

Plan your visit