Fetsund Lenser

About the museum

Fetsund lenser (log-driving works) is a technical and industrial heritage site made up of 25 buildings spread over an area of about one kilometre, and a 2.4-kilometre log-driving installation in the Glomma. The site shows how timber was driven and sorted, and from around 1950 Fetsund lenser was the regional depot and workshop for much of the log-driving northwards on the Glomma. Today the area is a log-driving museum run by MiA – Museene i Akershus.

The main exhibition is in Trådbua, down by the quay, and tells the story of the timber's journey from the forest to the coast and of the people who worked to bring it there, with a model of the log-driving installation at Fetsund. The mechanical lenser show engines and other equipment, and Materialbu 1 has a unique interior with the materials manager's office and storeroom. In Båthuset (the boathouse) is the museum's collection of wooden boats, among them the Fetsund boat that was built here, and the collection is adapted with Braille and tactile reliefs.

In the season the rest huts (hvilebrakkene), the log workers' floating break rooms, are moored off the quay, and from them visitors can "walk on water" on the rafts out to the log-driving installation. The workers' house Sootbrakka and the tugboat MB Mørkfos can be visited on a guided tour. Next door is Besøkssenter våtmark Nordre Øyeren.

Highlights

• The log-driving installation in the Glomma and "walking on water" on the rafts
• The main exhibition on timber driving in Trådbua
• Båthuset with wooden boats, Braille and reliefs
• Materialbu 1 with the materials manager's office
• The tugboat MB Mørkfos and the workers' house Sootbrakka
• The Bryggekafeen café by the river

Permanent exhibitions

• Hovedutstillingen i Trådbua – Exhibition on the journey of the timber from the forest to the coast and on the people who worked the log-driving, with a model of the Fetsund installation.
• Båthuset – Collection of wooden boats, among them the Fetsund boat built on the site, adapted with Braille and reliefs.
• Materialbu 1 – Unique interior with the materials manager's office and storeroom from the log-driving days; can be seen through the doors or on a guided tour.

Operated by

MiA – Museene i Akershus

Admission & discounts

The ticket covers the log-driving museum and Besøkssenter våtmark Nordre Øyeren. MiA's annual pass gives free entry during regular opening hours.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The site is partly hilly, but a gravel path runs through the whole area and to most of the buildings. It is suitable for wheelchairs, but in places it is steeper and assistance may be needed. The log-driving installation, with boardwalks and floating walkways, is not very accessible for people with reduced mobility. Most visitor buildings have ramps at the entrance, but some have uneven floors and weaker lighting. Båthuset has Braille and reliefs on the display boards. Toilets for wheelchair users are found north of the area by the workshops and south by Besøkssenter våtmark, but have a somewhat high threshold. Guide dogs and assistance dogs are allowed indoors, and there is a fishing pier adapted for wheelchairs.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Hands-on stations

Children should walk on the rafts under adult supervision, and life jackets can be borrowed. The museum also holds a Christmas market and a gingerbread baking competition (pepperkakekonkurranse). The family ticket is valid for up to two adults with children.

Getting there & parking

Fetsund lenser lies by the Glomma, 8 km east of Lillestrøm along RV22 and 20 km from Oslo. There is a guest landing stage for small boats just north of the museum area, and the site is well suited for cycling.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop

The Bryggekafeen on the quay serves waffles, lapskaus (Norwegian stew), pike-cake open sandwiches and sausages, and there is the museum shop Endeli'. Life jackets can be borrowed in the cafés when they are open.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events

Function rooms and meetings in historic surroundings, and overnight stays in the rest hut.

Plan your visit