Elverhoj Museum of History & Art

Well worth a visit. Learned a lot about the history of the area and the Danish settlers who founded Solvang. This is a former home that is set up in a way that mimics what a traditional Danish dwelling was like. Lots of authentic artifacts and good explanations of what everything is. The staff were extremely friendly and knowledgeable and answered all of our questions. Out back is a lovely garden area with flowers, benches, and a gazebo. Looks like it would be a nice place for a wedding! Through the yard there is a little cottage containing a model of what Solvang looked like in the 1920s. Very interesting! Cool little gift shop, too.

Elverhoj (Elves Hill) Museum is a hidden little gem in Solvang. Literally. It is set in a neighborhood where you just wouldn’t stumble upon it. In fact, we found it in a small article in one of those local area visitor magazines you find in hotel lobbies. What a surprise ! The article was about an artist, Katja Biewho, who makes silk scarves and ties reflecting Danish art and themes, and these are available in the gift shop. Unfortunately, we could not get here until the last day in town and by then we were on our way out and couldn’t dally because of a timed reservation at Hearst Castle. The museum itself is beautiful, and while it looks out of place in the neighborhood it was actually a hand built home for a Danish artist many decades ago. Viggo Brandt-​Erichsen (1896 – 1955) worked almost on his own for four years building this home-​studio. The door is of his artwork, as is a beautiful horse sculpture which greats you. Even the ironwork on the front door was designed by him (although made recently based on his design). The foyer includes the entrance desk, a nice gift shop and some historical exhibits which definitely whetted my appetite and made me promise to myself that next time I would be sure to allow adequate time to view the many galleries. The staff were very friendly and helpful, all of whom we met being local residents and volunteers. I’m giving this museum a «very good» for now only on the basis of the initial visit, but I am rather sure that once I view and experience all it has to offer it will be an excellent rating! I brought home a bright red coffee mug so that I would be constantly reminded of my need to return …

Located a few blocks from the main thoroughfare of the city, this is a cute little museum housed inside what was built as a traditional Danish home. If you’re in Solvang and want to know more about the history of the city (and why it is so Danish), this museum is worth the visit. It seems to be operated by a family or a private foundation of some sort (though I could be totally wrong here) and contains artifacts both from Solvang’s past and Denmark’s past. The lady at the counter was very knowledgeable and answered my irritating questions with grace and patience. Given that the museum is tiny, there isn’t a lot to see. We were in and out of this place in 30 minutes, with our curiosities fully satisfied. There is no entrance fee to the museum, but donations are welcome and perhaps, recommended.

It’s a cute museum in a structure that was designed like a Danish farmhouse in the 18^th century. The place is small but is full of pictures, paintings, literature, and even a room with a dollhouse (my favorite) explaining the heritage of Danish Americans and the history of Solvang. You can actually walk or bike from the village center to come here. There is a suggested $ 5 dollar donation as you enter. They also have a small area in the entrance for gifts.

This is a darling museum to visit if you’re touring Solvang. The house seems a little out of the way but is within a totally reasonable walk from the main road (Copenhagen Dr). The house-​turned-​museum has a great insights into Danish history/​culture and the history of Solvang. The museum staff is extremely friendly, and gave us in depth explanations throughout the house, even demonstrating lace-​making and answering any questions that we had. Don’t plan to stay too long, but it’s definitely worth a visit! There are temporary exhibits on display in one room (the one we saw as East Meets West artwork that you could purchase).

We loved this cozy and inviting museum. It is nested in the middle of peaceful and quiet neighborhood and offers an insightful look into the Danish history of the valley. The building hosting the museum used to be a house, so you are sort of walking through someone’s life and see it through their eyes. There is a beautiful back yard with a gazebo, if you just want to sit down and listen to the wind. The cottage in the back has a panorama of old Solvang, and you see that a lot of the buildings are still in their place (no wonder as they were only built in the 1950’s).
I highly recommend dropping by, as it will take you about 30 minutes to see the exposition, but will enrich your stay and provide a great context for your visit.

This museum is a must see when visiting Solving. The museum is well organized, informative and appealing to the eye. Gives a very good overview of the history or Solving, Danish history and different points of interest in the valley.

This met our expectations of being a museum. Awesome representation of Danish architecture and culture. The staff was very nice and knowledgeable.

Hvis man vil gerne lære lidt om den lille by Solvangs historie, kom og lær alt herude! Okay enough Danish for now… I started my introduction of this museum in Danish because it is befitting… as Elverhoj Museum is super cute and super Danish! Elverhoj Museum encapsulates the Danish immigrant and Danish-​American experience in the city of Solvang. The museum curators here are very friendly and very knowledgable about the city’s history and the influence the Danish community had on this commune. One of the curators I had the pleasure of meeting was a super cute and super sweet older Danish woman, with whom I was able to share a pleasant conversation in Danish.
The museum houses old antiques (not really «artifacts») that were used/​represent what Danish folk would have owned in Solvang during the 1800s and 1900s… Many of which were farming tools and furniture what would be owned by a typical modest Danish agricultural family. One of the cool pieces of furniture/​tools I saw was a nifty «trappestige» also known as a ‘step ladder’, which was device able to convert from a step ladder into a seat, and vice versa. To note, many of the tools I had never seen before so it was nice to have things explained in Danish and English by the kind Danish curator I mentioned previously.
Parking is plentiful here, but is not necessary if you plan on walking here from downtown Solvang… A brisk short 5 – 10 minute walk. No entrance fee here… however there is a suggested donation box which is completely voluntary.
I really like this place because it encapsulates Danish American life in Solvang and probably represents much of what it was like in other Danish towns across the nation (like the city of Dannebrog). The museum definitely fits the Danish word of «hygge» or «hyggelig» which roughly encapsulates a comfortable coziness. The people that work here are definitely «hyggelig» as well!
On your next trip to Solvang, make sure to stop by here, bask in the «hygge» atmosphere, and get a taste of Danish American history here!

What a great little museum! This was the perfect way to start our day trip to Solvang. Admission is free, but we gave the suggested $ 5 donation. The lady who said «hi» to us and showed us around a bit was super nice, told us a bit about the city of Solvang and the people who lived at the house, answered my questions — like about how to pronounce «Elverhoj» (it’s el-​ver-​hoy) — and suggested a couple restaurants. The house and backyard were gorgeous, they had a nice bathroom that you can use, an art exhibit and so much information that we never could’ve gone through it all. We did a quick walk-​through and went to lunch. I would love to spend a few hours in here to go in-​depth and learn more. The lady mentioned special events and things they hold there, which I think would be fun to attend!

Of course Elverhoj Museum of History and Art was my first stop in Solvang. Located on Elverhoj Way, there are several street signs telling you which way to go for the Museum. And it’s in a residential area so there is plenty of street parking (actually, there’s plenty of street parking throughout Solvang). The building that the museum is in used to be a house, so it has a very homey feel to it. I especially love the cute horse in the entrance courtyard. The museum is open on Wednesdays through Sundays and their mission is to collect, preserve, and exhibit the history and Danish culture of Solvang.
They currently have a special exhibit going on until February 2014. «Eight Seasons Above the Arctic Circle,» the exhibit is about photography Birgitte Aaerstrup’s journey among the Sami people. The Sami are from the Lapland region, which extends across Norway, Sweden, Finland, and Russia. Her photographs were quite interesting, and I loved the ones she took of reindeer. Their ongoing exhibits include their Vikings display and their Solvang Room. It was quite informative to walk through the exhibits and learn more about their history and culture. They even offer arts and crafts workshops here for those that are interested.
The museum is pretty small though, so admission is free. A $ 3 donation is suggested, but they don’t pressure you at all – instead there is just a box near the entrance for donations if you so wish. They have a small gift shop as well which has some cool items.

We liked this museum because of all the history it gives you about the little town of Solvang. The museum operates on donations. It’s a little ways outside the main restaurant and shops area. We walked, but driving may be easier for those who can’t walk more than 10 min. Go during Danish Days where they have festivals and food and parades all weekend!

This is a private home transformed into a museum. Love the fact that it was repurposed as a danish landmark and has lots of danish cultural artifacts!

Anyone who has any interest in Scandinavian/​Danish history and culture should definitely visit The Elverhoj Museum of History and Art at least one time. Then you can decide about future visits, but it has some very nice pieces and can be very interesting. It has a section on the history of Solvang in particular that is interesting. There is also a modest gift store area. I think we were there close to 2 hours. Donation Fee only. I can understand why many would visit this place on their return visits, too. The museum has a very pleasant/​peaceful back lawn area with flowers, benches for rest and is very pleasant just to sit a while. You will not find this place just walking around downtown Solving as it is off the beaten track in a residential section of the city. It is certainly within walking distance from downtown if you enjoy the exercise, but I suspect most people will choose to drive to the museum. Try it you’ll like it. It’s free, what can you loose. But leave them a donation of what you can as it really is for a good cause.

While this was an interesting piece of Danish-​American culture in the glorious town of Solvang… it seemed to be a simple collection of antiques and such spread about somebody’s house… and then they called it a museum.
I can’t say that I was a fan, but I appreciate what they are doing here. If you are in the area, it may warrant a visit if you have nothing else to do… or if you like old stuff. My favorite part of the whole thing was the front door of the house… seriously!

After walking the well beaten path around the more popular areas of downtown Solvang, I was on cloud nine after touring the wool spinning store (yeah string!) when I wandered out of Aarg Alley onto a street which had a tiny blue museum sign and an arrow on it. Intrigued, I pressed on walking past the local fire station and down two tiny blocks into a residential neighborhood where I found Elverhoj Museum of History and Art.
The museum is the former residence of Viggo Brandt-​Erichsen and his wife Martha Mott. The museum reflects the history of Danish life in Solvang and since I’m into history for genealogy’s sake, I thought this place was cool, but once told that both were artists, the museum took me to a special place, an intimate view into a life of an artist.
The grounds are beautiful, the house turned museum is very well kept and I found the displays, which varied from room to room, to be interesting as well as informative. The docents were friendly and eager to answer questions.
Limited street parking, gift shop and $ 3 donation suggested.

So, this is a review of a museum from an admitted anti-​museum person. I’m not angry at museums, just a little too ADD to fully appreciate them.
That being said… this one was worth the visit. First of all, you can donate an amount that correlates with what you will get out of the experience. I’m up with that. Second, this place is quality… both visually and in content. Somebody didn’t just throw this place together… the exhibits are thorough and extremely well done. Being attention deprived, I like living exhibits and we were treated to a live lace-​making demonstration by the cutest docent woman. Very cool. The art here is the icing on the cake. Unfortunately, the kitchen (which sounds like it was something to see) was recently flooded and was under renovation. The little bit we did see — carved and painted wood cabinets — was adorable and authentic.
It’s worth the small effort to get here… slow down and enjoy the walk through Solvang’s neighborhood side streets.

We went to the Elverhoj Museum in hopes to get a feel for early life in Solvang. It was a very beautiful home with a beautiful courtyard in the back. Definitely worth a small donation to walk around and see the beautiful rooms and artwork. The kitchen was our favorite room. It was quaint with a lot of subtle character.
We went on a Friday when the Queens of Art show was taking place. I think that’s what it was called. That made our experience all the better. The artists were very informative and the work was reasonably priced and ecclectic. I wish we had more money to purchase some prints we wanted.
We’ll be back for sure :)

If you’re looking for more than food and pastries in Solvang, the Elverhoj museum is a must see. It was amazing to see all the history in a former family home. There was a lady there, making lace the «old fashioned way», and it was simply amazing to watch her as she used bobbins and string to make such elegant lace. The docent was very nice and we were able to learn so much about the origin of Solvang. I love history, and I think this is a great place to go. I never would have found it, if it weren’t for the nice lady at the Solvang Information Center. The home was gorgeous, and seeing all the original décor was like being in Solvang in 1911 when it was established.

*editor’s note: when this review was written, the business listing read «Elverhoy Museum».
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again.
Reference my smorgasborD review if you’re fresh off the little red surrey.
Say it with me: Elverhoj. Sounds like «el-​ver-​hoy». SPELLED LIKE «Elverhoj». Once again, with the pretty little Viking strike through the O.
It means «elves on a hill» the same way «Solvang» means «sunny field» and «Staralfur» means «staring elf», except maybe not in the way «Staralfur» means «staring elf», because «staralfur» is Icelandic and words like Elverhoj and Solvang are Danish and meant to be spelled the DANISH way. No Y’s allowed.
You’re lucky because I’m not even Danish. I just have Solvang pride. Man, I can’t believe I just said that. So now, let me hop on the horse-​drawn trolley, like so many childhood friends who went on to have the embarrassingly public job of giving guided trolley tours, and give you: A Concise History of the Elverhoj Museum. Jaded, Spratt-​style history.
It looks like a house – because it IS a house. See those other buildings around town? With the fake thatched roofs, the painted wood elf cutouts sliding down them, and the fake cranes nesting (for good luck)? Imagine if those were real. That’s how this place was and is. It’s the best example of Danish farmhouse architecture you’re going to find this side of Denmark. And what’s more, it retains the legacy of the artists who built it by not only housing Danish folk history, but by providing gallery space for local artists, and offering art classes to the public. Really affordable classes. The current curator of the Elverhoj also used to be the director of Arts Outreach for ever and ever, and is really committed to fine and folk art in the community. F***, it makes my jaded heart swell. Seriously.
Did I mention admission is free.
Yes, there are some touristtrappy places in the Valley. Yes, it’s lame that they capitalize on a stereotyped version of Danish heritage to make a buck. Or they’re the As Seen On TV store. But seriously? If you base your whole impression of Solvang on As Seen On TV? You lose. You lose out ’cause places like–
the ElverhoJJJJJ
Olsen’s (mmm, kringle)
Rasmussen’s
Mortensen’s
Ingeborg’s (see snackalicious review)
all the antiquarian, Scandinavian books at The Book Loft
and many others – are owned, run, and loved by the SuperDanes, second, third, fourth and fifth generation Danish families who look at Denmark with love, honor, and pride. Seriously, if you’ve never drank akvavit, eaten medisterpolse, sang De Skal Leve at a wedding or a fest, or danced round in circles with your partner twirling you a foot off the floor – you’ve probably never been to Denmark but maybe you also haven’t been to the fun, cool, Dansk, Dansk, Dansk Solvang.
And I still ain’t even Danish.