Birkenes Bygdemuseum

About the museum

Birkenes Bygdemuseum was established as a foundation in 1987 and is largely run by volunteers. The museum lies a few kilometres south of Birkeland centre and consists of the Grasham farmstead at Tveide, the Myhre peat litter factory and the log boom anchorage (bomfeste) by Flaksvann.

The museum’s main profile is farm history from around 1850 to 1960, as well as crafts, machinery technology and small-scale industry. At Grasham there is a joinery workshop, a forge and several other workshop buildings where visitors can experience authentic working environments. The setehus (farm dwelling house) is furnished with interiors from the post-war period. The museum’s new main building opened in 2013 and houses exhibitions, a café, storage and the assembly hall Knutson-salen.

The collection also includes the veteran bus Svalandsruta and the tugboat “Padda” from the log driving (tømmerfløting) on the Tovdal watercourse. Myhre peat litter factory is the country’s only surviving factory of its kind, with machinery from 1896 driven by a steam traction engine from 1907; the plant is currently closed for restoration.

Highlights

• The Grasham farm with workshops, a forge and a setehus from the 19th century
• The exhibition “På smale spor” on the Lillesand-Flaksvandsbanen
• Myhre peat litter factory (currently closed for restoration)
• Veteran bus Svalandsruta and the tugboat “Padda”
• Children’s museum with woodwork and a ride

Permanent exhibitions

• På smale spor – ei fortelling om Lillesand-Flaksvandsbanen – The exhibition shows photographs, objects, models and a six-metre-long map of the railway, which operated from 1896 to 1953.
• Den som sparer den har – The exhibition on the first floor of the main building shows part of Birkenes Sparebank as it looked in 1952, with ledger books and safes from the 19th century.

Founded

1987

Operated by

Stiftelsen Birkenes Bygdemuseum

Admission & discounts

Price for an ordinary guided tour. Separate prices apply at special events.

Accessibility

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Hands-on stations

The children’s museum has toys from the old days, woodwork and a ride with the gråtassen or the Svalandsruta.

Getting there & parking

From the E18 towards Lillesand, take exit 85 towards Birkeland and follow Rv402 to the sign “Bygdemuseum” at Tveide. The drive from Kristiansand takes about 30 minutes and from Arendal about 40 minutes.

Amenities & dining

• Café

Museum café with home baking and locally sourced food, open in connection with events.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties

The large assembly room, Knutson-salen, can be rented for lectures and parties.

Plan your visit