The collection originated from Anders Sandvig’s private acquisitions of farm buildings and artifacts while working as a dentist.
The Garmo Stave Church was originally built in the 12th century and relocated to Maihaugen in 1920.
The residential neighborhood section displays one typical house for every decade of the 20th century.
The museum functions as a research center for the cultural history of the Inland region of Norway.
Many of the interior wooden structures feature authentic 'rosemaling' decorative folk painting.
Maihaugen is one of Northern Europe's largest open-air museums, featuring over 200 historic buildings from the Gudbrandsdalen valley. The site is divided into three sections: the Open-Air Museum, the residential area displaying 20th-century home development, and the Main Building. The historic section includes structures dating from the 13th century, including the Garmo Stave Church. Anders Sandvig founded the museum in 1887 to preserve the folk culture of his region. The site covers approximately 36 hectares of parkland on a hillside overlooking Lillehammer. It serves as a living history venue with artisans demonstrating traditional crafts during peak seasons. The museum also houses the Norwegian Olympic Museum, covering the history of the Olympic Games. The residential section offers a chronological walk through Norwegian domestic architecture from the 1920s to the present day.
The elevated view from the path near the Garmo Stave Church, looking down toward the valley and the residential area.
Wear comfortable, sturdy walking shoes as the museum is spread across a large, hilly outdoor area.
Bring a water bottle and snacks, as the walking distances between building clusters can be significant.
Check the daily program upon arrival for demonstrations of traditional baking or craft workshops.
Attempting to see all 200+ buildings in a single visit; focus on a specific time period or the main historical core instead.
The outdoor area is primarily open from late spring through early autumn; some historic buildings may be closed during winter months.
Respect the historic interiors by not touching artifacts; follow posted signs regarding footwear inside fragile historical buildings.
