Experience the unique Norwegian tradition of summertime mountain pasturing during this fun-filled activity day. Called as "stølskultur" in Norwegian, this pastoral practice is also known by the anthropological term "transhumance" and refers to the seasonal movement of livestock between summer and winter pastures. Join us as we hike up to the museum's støl, or summer pasturing farm, and learn about traditional dairy production.
The there will be guided tours up to the museum's støl. There, you can visit three cabins, a barn, and a hayloft which depict mountain pasturing culture from the 1800s up through more modern times, when stølskultur began to transform into the summertime hiking and camping culture which is more common today.
The path to the støl follows parts of the historic Trondheim Postal Road which pass through the museum grounds. There is also a section of the hike which takes us along a fairly steep forest path. Wear good hiking shoes and dress for the weather. High temperatures are predicted on Thursday - we will have drinking water available at the støl, and we also recommend that you bring your own water bottle.
At 2pm there will be a presentation by farmer Per-Magne Bell about mountain pasturing - the Bell family is one of few in the area still practicing mountain pasturing today. The presentation will be given primarily in Norwegian.
We will also host a variety of other activities at the museum grounds throughout the day - see the schedule below.
11:00 a.m. Guided hike to the museum's støl (mountain pasturing farm). Meet outside the visitor center. The hike will take about 1.5 hr.
1:00 p.m. In the museum grounds: Can you separate cream from milk? Join in assembling a milk separator and try your hand at this important part of traditional dairy production.
In Halbrendshuset: Try mysle, a traditional food typical of mountain pasturing culture. Other traditional foods like rømmegraut (sour cream porridge), spekemat (dried meats), flatbrød (crisp bread), and vafler (dessert waffles) will be for sale.
2:00 p.m. In the exhibit hall: Hear from farmer Per-Magne Bell about his experience with mountain pasturing - the Bell family is one of few in the area still practicing mountain pasturing today. The presentation will be given primarily in Norwegian.
3:00 p.m. Guided hike to the museum's støl (mountain pasturing farm). Meet outside the visitor center. The hike will take about 1.5 hr.
All day at the museum:
- visit with the museum's goats
- grind grain by hand with a traditional stone mill in the museum's historic cookhouse
- enjoy outdoor games and activities
- draw, play boardgames, and relax in the historic Huus cabin
- visit historic buildings such as a millhouse and a storehouse
- try to carry water with a traditional yoke
- make play boats by the beach
*schedule and activities subject to change
Exhibit
Visit our new exhibit, Fiddlers and Funny Ladies: Entertainment in Norwegian America. This exhibit celebrates the 200th anniversary of emigration from the US to North America, and presents emigration from this region of Norway through stories about emigrant entertainers. The exhibit is on display on the second floor of the visitor center.
Museum shop and cafe
The museum shop is open and sells ice cream, soda, coffee, and snacks. We offer some gluten and lactose free items. Waffles are available for sale during events.
Seating is available in the cafe, in the Huus cabin, and at outdoor tables and benches.