Hallingdal Museum

About the museum

Hallingdal Folkemuseum in Nesbyen was founded in 1899 by agricultural director Gudbrand Tandberg and is one of Norway’s oldest open-air museums. On 1 April 2004 several of the valley’s local museums were brought together under joint administration in the foundation Hallingdal Museum, which today is responsible for the visitor sites in Nesbyen, Ål, Gol, Hemsedal, Hol and Dagali, and for summer visits to Hol gamle kyrkje.

At the open-air museum in Nesbyen there are buildings and objects gathered from all over Hallingdal, showing the valley’s history over several hundred years. The oldest building is Staveloftet from Ål, built around 1340. There are also several rosemaled houses, farm buildings and industrial buildings, and the area lies along the river Rukkedøla and can be visited all year round.

In addition to the open-air museum, Nesbyen has an administration building with offices, a shop and an exhibition, and the Tandberg venue for hire. Throughout the year themed days are held, such as Markens Grøde in October and Jul på Museet on the first weekend of Advent, and in July and early August there are activity days with old crafts.

Highlights

• Staveloftet from Ål, built around 1340, the museum’s oldest building
• Rosemaled houses, farm buildings and industrial buildings from all over Hallingdal
• Guided tours about life in Hallingdal 300 years ago
• The exhibitions “Hallingdal og verden, 1600–1900” and “Okkupert – Krigsåra i Hallingdal”
• The themed days Markens Grøde and Jul på Museet
• Summer ticket giving admission to all visitor sites in Hallingdal

Permanent exhibitions

• Hallingdal og verden, 1600–1900 – Permanent exhibition in Nesbyen on Hallingdal and the valley’s contact with the world between 1600 and 1900.
• Okkupert – Krigsåra i Hallingdal – Exhibition on how the occupation during the Second World War affected life in Hallingdal.
• Mjølid-fjøset – Exhibition on haymaking, scythes (ljå) and hay drying (hesjing).

Founded

1899

Operated by

Hallingdal Museum (Buskerudmuseene)

Admission & discounts

In the summer season the ticket in Nesbyen is a joint ticket for all Hallingdal visitor sites for six days. Annual passes are available.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• 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

Parts of the museum are suitable for wheelchair users, including the exhibition in the main building. Toilets, including an accessible toilet (HC), are in the main building and in the Tandberg building. Dogs are welcome in the outdoor area.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops

Children have their own offers, including activity days with old crafts every Wednesday from July to early August, and school programmes.

Getting there & parking

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

Shop in the administration building.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent

The Tandberg venue for hire.

Plan your visit