Husmannsplassen Kjelvik

About the museum

Right by the E6 in Sørfold, a small path leads from the rest area down to Kjelvik, a cotter's farm (husmannsplass) with roots going back to the 18th century. The site consists of several small houses, with mountains and views over Leirfjorden as a backdrop. Kjelvik is today a protected Sámi cultural monument and tells the story of Norwegian-Swedish Sámi history in the 19th century and of the Norwegianisation policy that followed.

The last people to live at Kjelvik were the four unmarried siblings Edvard, Karen, Hans and Anna, who ran the farm together with four cows, some sheep, a couple of goats and a horse. Since the siblings had no direct heirs, the farm was never modernised. Apart from restoration work, the houses stand as they were when the people lived there, and the furnishings and tools are the same. Time has, more or less, stood still since the last resident, Hans, died in 1967.

Museum hosts show visitors around and tell the history, and there are often demonstrations of traditional crafts and activities. The site is run by Nordlandsmuseet.

Highlights

• Protected Sámi cultural monument
• Houses and furnishings untouched since 1967
• Museum hosts and demonstrations of traditional crafts
• View over Leirfjorden
• Mini café and museum shop in the barn (låven)

Permanent exhibition

• Husmannsplassen Kjelvik – Guided tour of the old houses on the site, where the furnishings and tools stand as they did when the last resident died in 1967.

Operated by

Nordlandsmuseet

Admission & discounts

Tickets are bought on arrival at the museum. Separate prices apply for visits outside regular opening hours.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: not available
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• 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 slopes mean that people with reduced mobility may benefit from an assistant, and the houses are not adapted for people with reduced mobility. An outdoor toilet is located at the start of the path from the car park.

Kids & families

Getting there & parking

The site lies by the E6, 56 km north of Fauske and 25 km south of Mørsvikbotn.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop

Mini café and museum shop in the barn, with brewed coffee, soft drinks and sweets.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit