Told- og Grænsemuseet

About the museum

The Oldemorstoft farm in Padborg is first mentioned in Flensburg tax lists in 1472. In 1484 Henrik Lorenzen received the farm from King Hans; letters of privilege for his sons from 1528 secured the property's special status until 1864. In the 17th century, the Herredsfogeder (district judges) of Wiesharde lived here. Later the farm was divided into Vester- and Østergården. After the construction of Padborg station in 1901 and the shift of the border in 1920, much of the land was absorbed into the growing town, and farming ended in the mid-20th century.

A local history museum was established in the buildings of Østergården, which, under the name Museum Oldemorstoft, showed among other things the history of the border gendarmerie since 1920. Alongside the farm, modern pyramid-shaped exhibition buildings were added, and in 2015 an orchard with old South Jutland varieties of apples and pears.

After years of effort, the collection of the closed Told- og Skattemuseum, which had been housed for over a hundred years in Dahlerups Pakhus on Langelinie in København, came to Padborg. Since April 1, 2023, the museum, run by Aabenraa Municipality, has been called Told- og Grænsemuseet. It tells the story of customs, taxes, and border life over roughly 800 years – from cattle trade and plow tax to smuggling and the border trade of the 1990s.

Highlights

• Historic Oldemorstoft farm with a view of the German border
• Exhibition "Splittet og forbundet af grænsen" on customs, control, and trade
• "Børnenes Toldkontor": interactive customs office for children
• History of the border gendarmes since 1920
• Orchard with old South Jutland varieties
• Coffee or tea included in the admission price

Permanent exhibitions

• Splittet og forbundet af grænsen – Presents the border as a special neighbor: control, sovereignty, trade and transport, and the consequences of major historical events for the borderland – with the children's area "Børnenes Toldkontor".
• Hærvejen og Oldemorstoft i 500 år – The main building tells the story of the farm and the old military road, past which kings, cattle drovers, and travelers passed.

Operated by

Aabenraa Kommune (Biblioteker og Kulturhuse)

Admission & discounts

A cup of coffee or tea is included in admission. Payment by Dankort, international cards, MobilePay, or cash (DKK only).

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking: no information
• 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

According to the museum, it is fully accessible for people with limited mobility and wheelchair users; accessible restroom available.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Hands-on stations

In "Børnenes Toldkontor", children and families help border police and customs officers with hands-on tasks; further interactive stations are built into the exhibitions.

Getting there & parking

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

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Restaurant: not available

Kaffestuen in the historic main building; coffee or tea is included in admission. Outdoor picnic areas with a view of the border.

Events & venue rental

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

Plan your visit