Haldenvassdragets Kanalmuseum
Museum in Ørje about log floating on the Haldenvassdraget waterway, the industrial history of Ørje brug and the wildlife along the waterway.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
Haldenvassdragets Kanalmuseum is located at Ørje brug and tells the story of log floating on the Haldenvassdraget waterway, the industrial history of Ørje brug and the rich wildlife of the area. Log floating on the waterway goes back more than 500 years.
The cultural history exhibition follows a log from the forest through the waterway to the sawmills and wood pulp factories, and tells the stories of forest workers, log drivers, mill owners and canal builder Engebret Soot. A 2016 film about this history is shown in the museum's small cinema room, and another film shows passenger and freight traffic on the Halden Canal from 1887 to 1963.
The museum also has a natural history section on how the ice shaped the landscape and wildlife after the last Ice Age, with aquariums of freshwater fish and crayfish and displayed forest birds and mammals. A separate children's museum and an outdoor playground make the museum particularly suitable for the youngest visitors. The museum is part of Østfoldmuseene.
Highlights
- Log floating on the Haldenvassdraget waterway for 500 years
- Canal builder Engebret Soot and the Halden Canal
- Aquariums with Ice Age immigrants and freshwater fish
- Displayed forest birds and mammals
- Children's museum with a water channel and outdoor playground
Permanent exhibitions
- Kulturhistorisk utstilling om fløtingen – Follows the timber from the forest through the waterway to the sawmills, with forest workers, log drivers, mill owners and canal builder Engebret Soot, and a 2016 film.
- Naturhistorisk utstilling – Shows how the ice shaped the landscape and wildlife after the last Ice Age, with aquariums and displayed birds and mammals.
- Barnemuseet – A small house in a “forest”, a water channel for observing small creatures and an outdoor playground for the youngest.
- Founded
- 1986
- Operated by
- Østfoldmuseene
Admission & discounts
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Accessibility
- Partially wheelchair accessible
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom: not available
- 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
The exhibition is on one level and is easy to move around in. The museum grounds are somewhat difficult to access: the road down from Engebret Soots vei and the entrance area are covered in gravel, which can make it difficult with a wheelchair or pram. There are men's and women's toilets at the entrance, but no separate accessible toilet.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
- Hands-on stations
- Playground / play area
Children's museum with a small house in a “forest”, a water channel for observing small creatures in running water, and an outdoor playground. In summer there are extra activities for children.
Getting there & parking
By car
Parking available
It is possible to park on the museum grounds, but the museum asks that the public car park at Engebret Soots vei in Tangen be used.
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
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Guided tours for school classes and other groups; biology programme for primary and upper secondary schools. |
