Oslofjordmuseet

About the museum

Oslofjordmuseet lies in Vollen in Asker, right down by the fjord. The location at Maudbukta is no coincidence: this is where Roald Amundsen's polar ship “Maud” was launched in 1917, built by the local boatbuilder Christian Jensen. The museum carries on that legacy and holds an event every year about “Maud” and polar history. Later the area became home to the furniture factory Arnestad Bruk, and the museum collects furniture from the factory to tell the story of the area's more recent history.

The boat collection is the heart of the museum and gives insight into coastal life around the Oslofjord, and into the craftsmanship and leisure interests that have shaped the fjord for many decades. A selection of boats is shown in the exhibition “Livet med båtene”, and the rest of the collection is available on Digitalt Museum. The exhibition “Fjordfortellinger” was completed for the museum's 10th anniversary in summer 2023. It shows objects that tell of the fjord's changing significance for people, and invites visitors to share their own stories.

The museum also has a play area, “Barnas Oslofjord”, an exhibition about outboard motors over 100 years and its own museum harbour with floating exhibitions. Oslofjordmuseet is part of MiA – Museene i Akershus, and the coastal path runs right past.

Highlights

• Boat collection from the Oslofjord in the exhibition “Livet med båtene”
• “Fjordfortellinger” about the history of the fjord
• The play area “Barnas Oslofjord”
• Own museum harbour with floating exhibitions
• Place where “Maud” was launched in 1917

Permanent exhibitions

• Fjordfortellinger – Objects that tell of the Oslofjord's changing significance for people, with the chance to share your own stories.
• Livet med båtene – The boats in the exhibition hall tell their own stories about life by and on the Oslofjord.
• Barnas Oslofjord – Play area where children can try being a skipper or go on a cabin trip.

Founded

2013

Operated by

MiA – Museene i Akershus

Admission & discounts

Separate prices apply for events. Free admission for children aged 0–5, Museum Card holders, schools and kindergartens, companions, staff and volunteers of MiA, ICOM and NMF members, and holders of activity, experience or culture cards. The MiA annual pass gives free admission during ordinary opening hours.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: no information
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking
• 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

Two accessible parking spaces right outside the museum.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Hands-on stations
• Playground / play area

“Barnas Oslofjord” is a play area where children can try being a shrimp fisher in the wheelhouse, row a trip and play at a cabin trip by the fjord. In “Fjordfortellinger” children can send messages with a flap telegraph. In the knitted-boat workshop they can build their own boat and test it in the water basin; kits cost NOK 60. Drawing tables and books for the youngest in the café.

Getting there & parking

The museum lies along national road 165 towards Slemmestad, with a well-marked turn-off in the centre of Vollen. The museum has its own museum harbour where you can moor outside the summer holidays; in summer there are visitor berths at Vollen Marina. The coastal path runs right past, and there is bicycle parking at the entrance.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop

Café area with coffee, tea, soft drinks, ice cream and the day's newspaper; visitors may eat their own packed lunch. Museum shop with books, gifts, model boats and knitted boats, open even without a ticket.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events

Meeting room and premises for parties all year round. Catering for groups can be ordered.

Plan your visit