Bjørn West Museet

About the museum

Bjørn West Museet tells the story of the resistance group Bjørn West, which had its base in the Matrefjella mountains in Masfjorden and came into combat with German soldiers in April and May 1945. After the soldiers were discharged in summer 1945, the members founded the association Bjørn West to spread knowledge about the dramatic days towards the end of the war. In 1947 and 1948 they set up the Bjørn West hut in Stussdalen, which became a meeting place for comradeship and for keeping the history alive.

The Stiftelsen Bjørn West museet (Bjørn West Museum Foundation) was established in 1993 by the municipalities of Masfjorden, Lindås, Osterøy, Modalen and Gulen, with the Bjørn West veterans as one of several driving forces. Masfjorden municipality made a building and site at Matre available. The building had a direct connection to the fighting, since the German guard unit that organised about 200 Russian prisoners of war used it, and the building was also used for interrogating local people. The museum was officially opened by King Harald V on 15 October 1994, on the day 50 years after the first two Bjørn West officers came to Masfjorden from England.

Until 2008 the museum was largely run on a voluntary basis, after which Masfjorden municipality took over operations. From 2016 the museum is part of Museum Vest.

Today there are exhibitions in the main house and the boathouse, including “Stordalsfolket og krigen” (The Stordal People and the War) and the Kayser exhibition. The Støl (mountain hut) shows how the Bjørn West soldiers were quartered in the mountains, and the farmyard with the outdoor exhibition, memorial plaque and memorial stone is accessible all year round.

Key themes

• Exhibitions in the main house and the boathouse about Bjørn West and the Second World War
• “Stordalsfolket og krigen” and the Kayser exhibition
• The Støl (mountain hut) showing the soldiers' quarters in the mountains
• Outdoor exhibition, memorial plaque and memorial stone at the Bjørn West farmyard, accessible all year round
• A guided tour to Stordalen fjellstove (mountain lodge) can be booked

Permanent exhibitions

• Stordalsfolket og krigen / Kayser-utstillingen – The exhibitions “Stordalsfolket og krigen” and the Kayser exhibition in the boathouse, and a display case with items from the Second World War.
• Stølen – Shows how the Bjørn West soldiers were quartered in the Masfjordfjella mountains.
• Bjørn West-tunet – Outdoor exhibition with memorial plaque and memorial stone, accessible all year round.

Founded

1994

Operated by

Museum Vest

Admission & discounts

Members of the Bjørn West Museum's friends' association (Bjørn West Museets venner) enter free. Tickets can be bought online.

Accessibility

• Partially 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

Both the main house and the boathouse are partly accessible for people with reduced mobility. The museum has a ramp up to the main house and easy access to the boathouse, but some door frames may prevent large, heavy wheelchairs. There is a narrow staircase up to the loft. The museum is working to become more universally designed.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

The museum lies at Matre right by the E39 north of Bergen, on the road towards Sognefjord. Driving time from Bergen city centre is about 1 hour and 15 minutes.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

Museum shop.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent

Up to 80 guests.

The loft of the main house (stairs up, touch screen, room for 30 people, meeting table for 14) can be rented for small meetings and presentations. The boathouse can be rented for meetings and events and has a projection screen, projector and 80 chairs.

Plan your visit