Fredrikstad museum – Tøihuset

About the museum

Fredrikstad museum is housed in Tøihuset from 1775, in the middle of Gamlebyen, which is regarded as one of the best-preserved fortress towns in Northern Europe. The town was founded in 1567, and the museum tells the story of the people who lived, worked and fought here, from merchants and soldiers to industrial workers and their families. The museum is a department of Østfoldmuseene.

In the city history on the first floor, “Tidslinjen” (The Timeline), visitors meet thirteen personal histories from the 1300s to the 1980s. “Bar 1567” follows 450 years of life, dreams, times of boom and bust, conveyed both digitally and in person. Gamlebyen is one of the few places in Norway where civilian and military life developed side by side.

The exhibition “Østfold i krig 1939–45 – Operasjon Polar Bear” (Østfold at War 1939–45 – Operation Polar Bear) covers 500 square metres and shows how the Second World War affected life in Østfold. It is based on personal histories, objects, photographs and documents, including those about Inge Steensland, who was recruited in 1944 to lead the operation in the county. The exhibition was created in cooperation between Inge Steenslands Stiftelse, the historian Petter Ringen Johannessen and Østfoldmuseene.

For children there is, among other things, the Tidsmaskinen (Time Machine) in the city history exhibition, and the game Agent Askeladden, in which children solve missions as secret agents in the museum's exhibitions. Throughout the year, lectures and family activities are held.

Highlights

• City history from 1567 to the present in Tøihuset from 1775
• “Tidslinjen” with thirteen personal histories from the 1300s to the 1980s
• The exhibition on Operation Polar Bear and Østfold during the Second World War
• “Bar 1567” with 450 years of the town's stories
• The Tidsmaskinen (Time Machine) and the game Agent Askeladden for children

Permanent exhibitions

• Tidslinjen – Thirteen personal histories on the first floor give an insight into everyday life and resilience in Fredrikstad from the 1300s to the 1980s.
• Østfold i krig 1939–45 – Operasjon Polar Bear – Interactive exhibition covering 500 square metres on the occupation and the war's significance for Østfold, with objects, photographs and personal histories.
• Bar 1567 – Exhibition on the people behind the town's history over 450 years, conveyed digitally and in person.

Founded

2007

Operated by

Østfoldmuseene

Admission & discounts

Children aged 0–5, companions, holders of Vennekort (friend card), members of ICOM and NMF, and holders of activity, experience or culture cards have free admission. Separate prices apply for events, lectures and guided tours. An annual pass for all the museums of Østfoldmuseene can be purchased.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom
• 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

Lift between the floors, an accessible entrance for wheelchair users and an accessible toilet on the ground floor. All digital stations can be used from a wheelchair, and the bar in “Bar 1567” can be adjusted in height. The Operation Polar Bear exhibition has adjustable lighting for visitors with impaired vision or light sensitivity, and adapted guided tours can be booked.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Hands-on stations

Children can try the Tidsmaskinen in the city history exhibition and solve missions in the game Agent Askeladden, which suits children aged 9 to 12 best. The museum also has regular activities such as Oppdrag Hund, bead bracelets and colouring in.

Getting there & parking

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit