Vestfold » Vestfoldmuseene

Munchs Hus

"I am sitting in the only pleasant house I have ever lived in – the house in Åsgårdstrand."

Åsgårdstrand was liberating for Edvard Munch's development as an artist. Here he found the landscape that runs through many of his world-famous paintings, as in The Dance of Life, Separation, The Voice, The Lonely Ones, and The Girls on the Bridge.

In 1889 Edvard Munch (1863-1944) spent the first of many summers at Åsgårdstrand. In 1897/98 he bought a spartan house dating from the early 1800s. The house was sold to the municipality right afther his death and became a museum just after. This is now a unique, evocative and distinctive place, the only completely preserved home of one of the world's greatest artists. Everything is kept as it was when the artist himself lived there. The surrounding landscape is largely unchanged, and Munch's motifs are easily recognizable. Here Munch the man found peace - and the painter inspiration.

Midgard

At Borre, majestic grave mounds bear witness to a time of greatness now known as the Viking Age. The Vikings are shrouded in myth and evoke images of boats and beards. A ship from the Viking age was excavated at Borre in 1852, and the findings are exhibited here. At Midgard, you will experience the diversity that life during the Viking times held. Midgard is a resource centre where visitors get to experience nuanced stories about people living more than a thousand years ago. We wish to create curiosity and stimulate interest for an epoch where Scandinavians put their mark on Europe, or to put it differently; when European way of living came to Scandinavia.

If you are the playful type, Midgard has its own outdoors arena where axe throwing, archery, balance logs and other challenges await you. The young ones get the opportunity to try out as archaeologists and join an excavation. Have you thrown enough axes lately? It can be pure therapy for children and grown ups alike.

Food, experiences and stories are important ingredients in life. Midgard adapts to visitors needs with tailormade packages. We encourage groups to make contact with us in advance and book a guide that will provide a unique experience. At Midgard we have all the equipment for seminars and conferences. We have a café with splendid view. The art of meeting people is a quality we regard highly. Let us give you memories for the future!

Slottsfjellsmuseet

The museum is situated right in the centre of Tønsberg, in beautiful surroundings at the foot of Slottsfjellet ("Castle Hill"). The museum and its setting bespeak a coherent cultural heritage, representing the city's history, including small parks, evidence of a medieval brick kiln, and the Vestfold farmyard, the museum's Middle Ages building area. The Ruin Park on Slottsfjell plateau displays the remains of one of the nation's – and the Nordic region's –largest medieval castles.

Exhibitions:

• Viking Hall: On display in the museum's Viking Hall is Norway's fourth Viking ship, a merchant vessel from Klåstad, the only preserved Viking ship outside Oslo. Another exhibit tells the story of the Oseberg burial ship, with Europe's largest Viking find.
• Foyn and Tønsberg: The history of whaling pioneer Foyn and his role in the city and the society at large, are presented in an exhibition linked to the Whale Hall.
• The Whale Hall: The Whale Hall displays skeletons of the most commonly hunted whale species. The blue whale, the world's largest animal, was about 27 metres long and may have weighed up to 150 tonnes.The blue whale skeleton is the largest known preserved skeleton.
• Vestfold farm: On Tallak, the plateau between Slottsfjellet and the main museum at Farmannsveien, is the museum's outdoor division. The adjacent Seterkafeen ("Mountain Farm Café") is open for refreshments, and visitors to are welcome to the bright, modern premises of Kastellkafeen!

Nord-Jarlsbergmuseene

Berger museum
Berger Museum is situated in one of the old mills at Berger, ”Fossekleven Fabrikk” now ”Fossekleiva Kultursenter”. The museum is recapturing the history of the well known Berger and Fossekleven textile mills. There is an exhibition showing industrial textile history as well as the social history of the community. You can also visit the home of the Bullens, who came from England in 1889 to work in one of the mills.

Eidsfoss Collections of Industrial History
“Eidsfoss Industrihistoriske Samlinger” is located in Eidsfoss, a well-preserved ironworks society. Site museum at an iron foundry, founded 1697 and in operation until the 1950’s. Exhibition on iron foundry, iron stoves, and an exhibition on the life of an iron-worker widow.

Holmestrand Aluminium museum
“Holmestrand Aluminium museum” is the newest museum in the region. It opened the summer of 2002. The exhibition shows the processing of crude aluminium in Holmestrand. The production started in 1919 and is still running.

The Whaling Museum

Sandefjord’s Whaling Museum is the only museum in Europe focussing on whales and the history of whaling. The original museum building exhibits animal and bird life from the Arctic and Antarctic regions and the main attraction is a full-sized model of a blue whale.

The main exhibition is about the history of whaling. Films about whaling run continuously in our film room. In 2009, we opened a new exhibition about whales and the environment. The museum’s shop sells souvenirs, toys and books. We have an activity room where there are special activities for children on weekdays in July.

Southern Actor
“Southern Actor” is the only whale catcher from the modern whaling era in its original condition. Because it has a 3-cylinder engine, it is incredibly quiet and hardly any noise can be heard on deck. Former whalers ensure that it is in tip-top condition, making it possible to experience what life was like on board a whale catcher. The boat is open to the public whilst in dock at the Museum Wharf from Midsummer until the end of August. From May to September, the boat can be rented for tours on the fjord. Southern Actor can take up to 52 passengers. Booking: Sandefjord Tourist Office, tel. +47 33 46 05 90