Hadeland Folkemuseum

About the museum

Hadeland Folkemuseum was established in 1913, at a time when committed volunteers across the country began to collect and look after buildings, objects and stories from the rural communities. In the 1970s many such museums became part of the public sector, and the work became more professional. Today the museum is part of Randsfjordmuseet AS, which is owned by six municipalities and three museum associations.

The museum area lies around Halvdanshaugen, where the Viking king Halvdan the Black is said in the saga to be buried. From the mound, paths lead through the museum park, where more than 30 furnished historic buildings from the 1700s, 1800s and 1900s show how people in Hadeland lived and worked, from small cotter's farms (husmannsplass) to larger farm buildings, life at the mountain dairy farm (seter) and crafts. The main building dates from 1938 and was extended in 1988, and the café building from 1942 now serves as a meeting place with an amphitheatre and stage.

Close to the museum stands Tingelstad gamle kirke, a Romanesque stone church from the 1200s with a well-preserved interior from the 1500s and 1600s, which has not been in use since 1866. In the area there is also a copy of the Dynna Stone, one of Norway's earliest Christian pictorial monuments, from around 1025–1050. The exhibition project "Bryt Fasaden" (Break the Façade) invites guests into the historic buildings to tell new stories about home and everyday life.

Highlights

• Over 30 furnished historic buildings from Hadeland
• Halvdanshaugen, where Halvdan the Black is said in the saga to be buried
• Tingelstad gamle kirke, a Romanesque stone church from the 1200s
• Copy of the Dynna Stone with runic inscription and Christian motifs
• Games for children: wooden games, giant chess, stilts and insect hunting at Branndammen
• The gate to the open-air park is open all year round

Permanent exhibitions

• Friluftsmuseet – Over 30 furnished historic buildings from the 1700s, 1800s and 1900s around Halvdanshaugen.
• Tingelstad gamle kirke – Guided tour of a medieval stone church from the 1200s with a well-preserved interior.
• Dynnasteinen – Copy of one of Norway's earliest Christian pictorial monuments, from around 1025–1050, with a runic inscription.

Founded

1913

Operated by

Randsfjordmuseet AS

Admission & discounts

The prices apply on all days of the high season and include the daily guided tours. Members of the friends' association enter free of charge. Outside the high season and events there is no ticket for visiting the open-air park. Separate ticket prices apply to events.

Accessibility

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

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

By Branndammen the children can play with bark boats, stilts and wooden games, catch insects and play giant chess. They can also look for 14 orange people in the area and win a prize.

Getting there & parking

The museum lies at Tingelstadhøgda in Gran municipality, five kilometres from Jaren station, four kilometres from Brandbu town centre and four kilometres from Granavollen. From the Telthuset at Granavollen you can walk along the Bergen pilgrim route to the museum.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop

Museum shop and café with coffee, cookies and apple juice, as well as books and souvenirs with local products; the café building has an amphitheatre and an open-air stage. The Magasinhallen, an open object store, can be visited in the summer season.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit