The 5 Best History Museums in Lillehammer Region, Eastern Norway

On the 9th of April 1940, German troops landed in Norway. We were at war, and the battle to avoid invasion lasted for two months. The german army reached Gudbrandsdalen 21st of April 1940 with the battle of Tretten and Gausdal. On the 25th and 26th of April, Kvam in Gudbrandsdalen became the centre of one of the most serious battles in southern Norway. During this bitter fight between German and British troops, some 70 buildings were burned to the ground and among them was the church in Kvam. Gudbrandsdalen 1940 was the first ground battle between German and British forces in WW2. The Battle of Kringen on the 26th of August 1612, involved an ambush by Norwegian peasant militia of Scottish mercenary soldiers who were on their way to enlist in the Swedish army for the Kalmar War. George Sinclair was ambushed by Norwegian militia along with 300 of his men while marching through Norway to join the army of the Swedish king Gustavus Adolphus. Sinclair, riding at the head of the column and wearing a plumed helmet, was the first to fall; he was shot by Sjelstad, a Norwegian militiaman. The officers, including the expedition leader, Colonel Ramsey, were ransomed while the remaining 15 survivors were conscripted into the Danish army. These are the historic events on which the Gudbrandsdal War Memorial Exhibition is based. The exhibition opened on the 5th of May 1995, and provides a unique insight into the acts of war, occupation and defence in Gudbrandsdalen.

Maihaugen offers activities and experiences for the whole family. Enjoy the idyllic surroundings and experience life like in the old days. The museum has more than 200 historic houses from as far back as the 13th Century to homes of the different decades of the 1900s, including Queen Sonja’s childhood home. Grazing animals in the open-air museum. All year you can look into historical houses and visit great exhibitions, the museum shop and café. Don't miss our popular Christmas Market in November/December.

Experience the atmosphere of beautiful Aulestad! The Nobel laureate Bjornstjerne Bjornson lived here with his family from 1875. The home is one of the best preserved artist homes in Norway. The summer of 2020 visitors can unfortunately not enter the artist home due to covid-19. You are still welcome to visit the museum. Aulestad offers a great new Bjørnson-exhitition and you will meet a guide in the garden. There is a fun exploring trail for kids there as well. Approximately 18 km from Lillehammer, follow signs from the main road E6 north of Lillehammer. From E6 take highway 225 towards Gausdal, and follow the road past the center of Follebu to Aulestad. Free parking lots by the road. There are bus connection from the train station in Lillehammer.

Welcome to the home of one of Norway’s great female writers. NB! In 2020 the home is not open for visitors due to covid-19. Still you can visit the museum. Nobel laureate Sigrid Undset (1882–1949) lived at Bjerkebæk with her three children. Here she wrote the medieval novels for which she was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1928. Enjoy a walk in the garden, where there is also a fun exploring trail for kids. Nice exhibition on Undset’s life through her many journeys. The modern visitor centre has a nice museum shop and view to the home and a beautiful garden.

Lesja open-air museum is where young and old come together to experience local culture and history through exhibitions and activities. During summer local vounteers fill our museum area with traditional baking and various traditional crafts. the museum is situated in the heart of the Norwegian mountains and national parks, and is a greate place for children to rund aruound.