Wellings Landsbymuseum

About the museum

The painter, sculptor, and collector Søren Rasmus Welling (1917–1996) settled in Mejlby near Lintrup in 1964. He first collected stones and flint axes, from which an extensive Stone Age collection emerged, and later gathered large quantities of household goods, tools, and curiosities from around 1900.

From the 1970s on he built a museum village from them on his own – without an architect, without a building permit, and almost entirely from used building materials that he collected in the area. By his death in 1996, many small, interlocking houses had emerged with a schoolroom, grocery shop, barber, post office, farmhand's room, parlors from the Gründerzeit era, workshops, and an inn. Although Welling was not a member of the national church, he also built a church of his own, from whose pulpit he told visitors about his view of the world; his farewell service was also held there in 1996.

Today the museum belongs to Kunsthusets Museums Støtteforening, which runs it with volunteers and maintains the village setting. In 39 rooms it shows agricultural machinery, tools of shoemakers, fishermen, roofers, and beekeepers, traditional costumes, toys, and books. A special feature: visitors are expressly allowed to touch the exhibits.

Highlights

• Self-built museum village from around 1900 with 39 rooms
• Own village church with pulpit, occasionally used for weddings
• Schoolroom, grocery shop, barber, and post office
• Large Stone Age collection with flint axes
• Old farm machinery and tools of many trades
• Touching the exhibits expressly allowed

Founded

1973

Operated by

Kunsthusets Museums Støtteforening

Admission & discounts

No card payments (not even Dankort) – pay in cash or by MobilePay. Gift vouchers available.

Accessibility

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

The museum describes its rooms as suitable for people with disabilities.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Hands-on stations

Almost all exhibits may be touched – for example, rocking a doll in a doll's pram. Combination ticket with the neighboring Glad Zoo, which is promoted as a family outing. Seasonal events such as Halloween and a Christmas room.

Getting there & parking

The museum is in a rural location in Mejlby near Lintrup, off the main road Vejen–Ribe (signposted). GPS: 55.40109, 8.95528.

Amenities & dining

• Café: not available
• Restaurant: not available

In the inn room (Krostue) you may eat and drink food and drinks you bring yourself.

Events & venue rental

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

Plan your visit