Sønderjysk Skolemuseum
Former village school from 1856 near Sommersted that shows the school history of North Schleswig under Danish and German rule.
About the museum
The Sønderjysk Skolemuseum was inaugurated on August 31, 2006, in the old school of Over Lerte near Sommersted. It is run by the foundation Fonden Sønderjysk Skolemuseum, which owns the building, and the friends' association Sønderjysk Skolemuseums Venner; guided tours, lessons, archive and registration are handled by volunteers.
The schoolhouse dates from 1856 and received an extension with a second classroom in 1907, during the German period. The history of the building reflects the changeable fortunes of North Schleswig: the children of the area were taught in Danish until 1864, in German from 1864 to 1920, and then in Danish again until the school closed in 1958.
In the old building, visitors can see a classroom and the teacher's residence with a living room, bedroom and kitchen. The larger classroom from 1907 is furnished with a desk, blackboard, tiled stove and turn-of-the-century school benches for 64 pupils. In the entrance hall, panels and display cases with German and Danish teaching materials explain the main stages of school history. In the attic is an archive of textbooks, notebooks, maps and teaching materials dating back to 1856.
The museum aims to collect and preserve knowledge about the school system in Sønderjylland, especially since 1864. In a school lesson like a hundred years ago, groups can sit at the school desks themselves with slate, ink and Fraktur script.
Highlights
- Original village school from 1856 with teacher's residence
- 1907 classroom with turn-of-the-century furnishings
- School history under Danish and German rule
- Lessons as in the old days with slate and ink
- Games from the past, Bålhytte (fire hut) and Tarzan course outdoors
- Founded
- 2006
- Operated by
- Fonden Sønderjysk Skolemuseum (ehrenamtlich, mit Förderverein Sønderjysk Skolemuseums Venner)
Admission & discounts
| Adults | DKK 60 |
|---|---|
| Children & teens | freefree up to age 14 · Children up to and including age 14 accompanied by paying adults free. |
| Groups | –School lesson as in the old days for groups of up to 25 people: DKK 300 (50 minutes), by arrangement. |
| Double ticket with Dansk Klokkemuseum | DKK 100Valid for Sønderjysk Skolemuseum and the neighboring Dansk Klokkemuseum. |
Payment by cash or MobilePay. Members of the friends' association have free admission.
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 14 |
|---|
- Family tours & workshops
- Hands-on stations
- Playground / play area
- Kids’ birthday parties
Children up to 14 free. In the classroom you can write with slate and ink yourself. Outside there are games as in the old days, a restored ball court, a Bålhytte (fire hut) and, since 2023, a Tarzan course. The school lesson can also be booked for birthday parties.
Getting there & parking
The old school of Over Lerte is located at Farrisvej 10 near Sommersted, right next to the Dansk Klokkemuseum (Farrisvej 12).
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Café: not available
- Restaurant: not available
No café; space available to eat a packed lunch (madpakke).
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes · approx. 50 min |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | For school classes and other groups (up to 25 people, e.g. family celebrations, care homes, birthdays) there is a 50-minute school lesson like in great-grandmother's day, with a morning song, Fraktur script, multiplication tables, ink and penmanship; games from the past outdoors on request. Booking with Karen Wiberg Nedergaard, +45 40 85 10 56. Tours and lessons by volunteers, adapted to every age. |
