Preus museum

About the museum

Preus museum is Norway's national museum of photography. It was established in 1995, when the Norwegian state bought the collections of the private Preus fotomuseum. In May 2001 the museum moved into Magasin A at Karljohansvern in Horten, where the interior was designed by the architect Sverre Fehn.

The museum looks at the artistic, cultural-historical and technical sides of photography. The collections consist of photographs, other types of images, cameras and technical equipment, and the museum has a library of international standing. The aim is to create engagement with the history of photography and with the role of images in a democracy and in freedom of expression.

Highlights

• Norway's national photography museum in Magasin A at Karljohansvern
• The exhibition “En fotohistorie” (A History of Photography), from early techniques to digital images
• The exhibition “Samleren Leif Preus” (The Collector Leif Preus) on how the collection became a museum
• Library on photography
• Interior designed by Sverre Fehn

Permanent exhibitions

• Samleren Leif Preus – The exhibition tells how the collection of Leif Preus became a museum.
• En fotohistorie – The exhibition shows techniques from before photography and follows the development up to today's digital images.

Founded

1995

Operated by

Staten

Admission & discounts

School classes and nurseries with a teacher have free admission after advance booking. A subscription to the journal Fotografi gives an annual pass for two people and a 10 per cent discount in the museum shop.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description

The entrance has almost no threshold, but the door is heavy and has no automatic opener; ring the bell at the door or contact reception. A large lift with automatic doors leads to the exhibitions. Wheelchairs can be borrowed at reception. Accessible toilet and changing table on the third floor. Benches with cushions and portable stools are available. The conservation workshop and the darkroom in Det hvite hus (the White House building) can only be reached by stairs. Audio-described viewings are offered, and guided tours can be adapted to different needs.

Kids & families

• Baby changing facilities

Free admission for children and young people under 18 and for school classes and nurseries with a teacher. Changing table on the third floor.

Getting there & parking

Amenities & dining

• Café: not available
• Museum shop

No café, but the Pusterommet (breathing room) at the back of the museum allows food and drink brought from home and has a machine for coffee, cocoa and tea. Food and drink are not allowed in the exhibitions and the library.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit