Aulestad

About the museum

The Bjørnson family bought the farm Aulestad in Gausdal in 1875, while they still lived in Italy. The poet Bjørnstjerne Bjørnson was at that time occupied with Grundtvig and the folk high school movement, and wanted to live close to friends who had started the folk high school Vonheim in Follebu. As the author of the peasant tales, he also wished to own a farm in the countryside, and he believed the new national sentiment had to come from the farmers. He wanted to make Aulestad a model farm, but the farm was also to be comfortable for the family and for guests.

For more than 25 years Karoline and Bjørnstjerne Bjørnson created a home that became a gathering place for family, friends and many of the cultural personalities of the time. Bjørnson lived here until his death in 1910. The state bought the property in the 1920s, Karoline lived at Aulestad until her death in 1934, and the poet's home opened as a museum in 1935.

Aulestad is today one of Norway's best-preserved artists' homes, kept as it looked when the family lived there, as if they had only just stepped out. Visitors enter the main building on a guided tour, and there are exhibitions in the barn, the carriage shed and the Drengestua. The property also includes a beautiful historic garden. Aulestad is part of Stiftelsen Lillehammer museum.

Highlights

• Bjørnstjerne Bjørnson's home, preserved as if the family had just stepped out
• Guided tour of the poet's home
• Exhibitions including a real Nobel medal and Bjørnson's carriages
• Historic garden that has developed since Karoline and Bjørnstjerne moved in
• Drengestua café with blueberry pancakes, Bjørnson's favourite dish

Permanent exhibitions

• Det volder litt rabalder – Exhibition on Bjørnstjerne Bjørnson's life and literature.
• Bjørnsons vogner – Stately carriages in the carriage shed, including the landau used by King Haakon, Queen Maud and the young Crown Prince Olav.
• Dikterhjemmet – Guided tour of the preserved home of Karoline and Bjørnstjerne Bjørnson.

Founded

1935

Operated by

Stiftelsen Lillehammer museum

Admission & discounts

Combined ticket: 25% discount when visiting two or more museums of Stiftelsen Lillehammer museum, only when bought together at the till. The annual pass is valid for six museums in Lillehammer. Ticket sales for the 2027 season open closer to the start of the season in May.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• 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

The houses are old and listed and are not fully adapted for wheelchair users, but it is possible to enter by wheelchair using wheelchair bridges and plates over the thresholds on the ground floor and on the veranda of the main building. The barn with the exhibition is fully accessible and has an accessible toilet, and the Folkestua has an accessible toilet and accessible ground and first floors. The area around the museum is partly steep and uneven, while the garden outside the café is accessible. Accessible parking (HC parking) is near the houses, and it is possible to be driven into the farmyard.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Hands-on stations

There are several activities for children in the barn; in the farmyard the family can try traditional games such as stilts, slengtau (a throwing game) and ring games; and in the garden children can look for the helpers of the Bjørnson family. Children aged 0–5 have free admission.

Getting there & parking

Aulestad is 18 km from Lillehammer, signposted from the E6 north of Lillehammer. Turn off towards Gausdal on county road 255 and follow the road past Follebu town centre.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop

The Drengestua café serves simple lunch dishes, homemade cakes, cinnamon buns and blueberry pancakes; it follows the museum's opening hours in the summer season and is otherwise open Thursday–Sunday 11:00–16:00. The café also offers catering.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent

Companies with catering in several rooms at Aulestad.

Plan your visit