Kjerringøy handelssted

About the museum

Kjerringøy handelssted is regarded as one of Norway’s best-preserved trading posts from the 19th century. The trading posts along the coast marked a turning point in the history of Northern Norway, because more of the profit from the fish trade remained in the region rather than going to the towns in the south. This was important for the development of the north throughout the 19th century.

Before the trading and innkeeping licence (handels- og gjestgiverbevillingen) came into effect in the 1770s, Kjerringøy had long been a church site, a court site and a leasing place (leieplass) for burghers and skippers. Iron Age burial mounds and a medieval churchyard lie close to the trading post.

Today visitors can walk through fifteen protected buildings with authentic interiors. In the main house there is a French wallpaper and historic bedrooms. In Heimbrygga and Stornaustet a maritime collection shows objects from boats and ships, including a nordlandsbåt (Nordland boat) from 1820, which is among the oldest surviving in the country. In the Kramboden, parts of the range of goods from the 19th century and the first half of the 20th century still stand on the shelves. The site is run by Nordlandsmuseet.

Highlights

• Fifteen protected buildings with authentic interiors
• The main house with French wallpaper and historic bedrooms
• Maritime collection with a Nordland boat from 1820
• The Kramboden with goods from the 19th and 20th centuries
• Fjøsen café with local food

Permanent exhibition

• Handelsstedet med hovedhus, Kramboden og båtsamling – Walk-through of fifteen protected buildings with 19th-century interiors, the maritime collection in Heimbrygga and Stornaustet, and the range of goods in the Kramboden.

Operated by

Nordlandsmuseet

Admission & discounts

The area ticket gives access to the site. Separate prices apply to visits outside regular opening hours.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• 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

Lift in the reception and café building; the café and reception are universally designed. The ground floor of the main house and the Kramboden are accessible to wheelchair users via ramps, but this must be notified in advance.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

Kjerringøy lies 40 km north of Bodø along Rv. 834. At Festvåg a ferry takes you across to Misten in ten minutes, and from there it is about 15 minutes’ drive to Kjerringøy centre.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop

Fjøsen café with coffee and local food; the Kramboden sells local products and souvenirs.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events
• Weddings / ceremonies

Courses and conferences, as well as weddings and receptions; serving and alcohol licence on the site.

Plan your visit