Ringerikes Museum

About the museum

Ringerikes Museum was founded in 1923 by H. I. Hammer, head of Ringerike høyere skole (Ringerike upper secondary school), and since 1961 it has been housed in Norderhov’s old parsonage (prestegård). The farm was the home of the parish priest from 1635 until the late 1950s and is closely linked to Norderhov church, which dates from 1170. The oldest parts date from the 17th century, and tree-ring analyses in 2009 showed that the ground floor of the south wing, known as Svenskestua, was built in 1635.

In 1931 the museum was lent the machine hall of a power station for an exhibition, and in 1934 Ellen Hals gave the property Blommeseter to the museum. The most important contribution came in 1938 with Marie Moe’s testamentary gift, which contained objects belonging to her father, Jørgen Moe. The old parsonage was chosen as the permanent location, partly because Jørgen Moe and Peter Christen Asbjørnsen first met here.

Today the museum shows permanent exhibitions on, among other things, Anna Colbjørnsdatter, who helped Norwegian soldiers in the battle of Norderhov in 1716, the Moe memorial, the Hjemmestyrkemuseet on the Second World War, and one of the country’s most unusual icon collections, assembled by the artist Hans Ødegaard. The ground floor of Munkestua was restored in 2023 in connection with the museum’s 100th anniversary.

Highlights

• Norderhov’s old parsonage, built from 1635
• The Moe memorial, where Jørgen Moe and P. C. Asbjørnsen met
• The Hjemmestyrkemuseet on the Second World War
• Icon collection assembled by the artist Hans Ødegaard
• Children’s museum with Idun and Isak and a treasure hunt
• Café with outdoor seating and a large garden

Permanent exhibitions

• Hjemmestyrkemuseet – Exhibition on the first floor about the Second World War and the local resistance movement.
• Moeminnet – Memorial room for Jørgen Moe and the place where the fairy-tale collectors Moe and Asbjørnsen first met.
• Ikonsamlingen – Collection of icons in the basement, assembled by the local artist Hans Ødegaard.

Founded

1923

Operated by

Buskerudmuseene

Admission & discounts

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

Large parts of the museum are inaccessible to wheelchair users because of the historic building. The ground floor is fitted with portable ramps, staff are happy to help, and there is an accessible (HC) toilet.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Playground / play area

A separate children’s museum where the figures Idun and Isak guide the children, and a treasure hunt in the museum. At the reception you can borrow a play box with outdoor games for the large garden.

Getting there & parking

The museum is a natural stop along the Gudbrandsdalsleden (Gudbrandsdal Trail).

Amenities & dining

• Café

Café in the reception with mineral water, coffee, ice cream and waffles, with an outdoor area and a small indoor café area.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit