Øregaard Museum

About the museum

Øregaard was built in 1806–08 as the summer residence of the wholesale merchant and shipowner Johannes Søbøtker (1777–1854). He came from a family of planters and officials in the Danish West Indies and made his fortune in maritime trade, not least with raw sugar from the Caribbean plantations. The French architect Joseph-Jacques Ramée designed the house and the landscape garden.

In 1821 Søbøtker had to sell the property. In the 19th century, several owners followed, including Joseph Hambro and A. N. Hansen, while the surrounding land was divided into villa and residential areas. In 1917 Øregaard passed to Gentofte Kommune, and in 1918 the park was opened to the public with a large sculpture exhibition; some of the works are still there today.

In 1921 the house became a museum. Its foundation was the art collection of Jacob Hegel, director of Gyldendal, which his widow Julie Hegel donated to the municipality. Today the collection comprises about 200 years of Danish art from 1750 to 1950 with a connection to the area north of København, for example by Jens Juel, C. W. Eckersberg, J. Th. Lundbye and Paul Fischer, as well as furniture, silver and porcelain from the period of construction around 1800.

After a comprehensive renovation, the museum reopened in 2009; in 2013 an elevator and the café in the side building were added, and in 2017 the mirrored open-air stage Spejlscenen in the park. The independent museum receives funding from Gentofte Kommune and mainly shows changing special exhibitions; works from its own collection are usually on view in summer.

Highlights

• Neoclassical country house by Joseph-Jacques Ramée (1806–08)
• Danish art from 1750 to 1950, including Jens Juel and C. W. Eckersberg
• Furniture, silver and porcelain from around 1800
• Romantic landscape park with sculptures, freely accessible year-round
• Spejlscenen with a free summer program (May–September)

Founded

1921

Operated by

Øregaard Museum (selbstständige Institution)

Director

Sidsel Maria Søndergaard

Admission & discounts

Accessibility

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

Access for wheelchair users and people with mobility impairments via the café in the side building, which is connected to the main building by an elevator; the café staff will help with the elevator. The elevator reaches all exhibition rooms as well as the coat check and accessible restroom in the basement. From the accessible parking space at the end of Ørehøj Allé, a wheelchair-suitable path (approx. 50 m) with a ramp leads to the entrance.

Kids & families

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

Getting there & parking

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Restaurant: not available
• Museum shop
• Coat check

Øregaard Café with a view of the park (Wed–Fri 11:30–16:30, Sat–Sun 11:00–16:30). Tickets are available at the museum shop. Food you bring can be eaten on the lawn in front of the museum.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events

Up to 150 guests.

Havestuen (max. 35 people), ground floor (max. 75, only for selected exhibitions), entire museum (max. 150, only for special occasions) and lecture hall (max. 40) outside opening hours; rental only for special occasions. Catering by Øregaard Café.

Plan your visit