Birkenes Rural Museum

About

Birkenes Rural Museum is set in a scenic landscape just a few kilometres south of Birkeland town centre, in Birkenes municipality, Agder. The museum is a historic farmstead with nine preserved buildings, including a farmhouse, barns, storehouse, carpenter’s workshop, smithy and mill. The Grasham farm is a well preserved example of a traditional Southern Norwegian farm from the mid-19th century. The museum also manages 114 acres of varied cultural landscape with excellent walking terrain.

The museum’s main focus is rural life and farm history from around 1850 to 1960, with particular emphasis on craftsmanship, mechanical technology and local small scale industry. Visitors can explore authentic workshops and farm environments, vintage vehicles and permanent exhibitions that tell the story of the local community. The main building houses a café and several exhibitions, including one dedicated to the Lillesand–Flaksvand Railway.

Birkenes Rural Museum is a family friendly destination and a great place for children to experience history firsthand. Old toys, machines and vintage vehicles spark curiosity among both young and old. Popular activities include woodworking, rides with the small tractor “Gråtassen” and trips with the vintage bus Svalandsruta. The bus seats 18 passengers and can also be hired for trips within a 40 kilometre radius of Tveide.

Myhre Peat Litter Factory is part of Birkenes Rural Museum and is the only preserved peat litter factory of its kind in Norway. The factory is currently closed due to restoration needs.

Each year in late August, the museum hosts Grasham Day, featuring demonstrations of traditional crafts and sales of local handicrafts. In the pre Christmas season, visitors are invited to Christmas at the Museum, with market stalls, music and festive workshops in historic surroundings.

Opening hours:
The museum is open on selected Sundays in July and August from 12:00 to 16:00.
Open by appointment at other times.