Welcome to the Women's Museum!

The National Women's Museum was officially opened by Her Majesty Queen Sonja in 1995.

The raison d'être of Kvinnemuseet is to collect documentation of the life and work of Norwegian women in our cultural history up to to the present time. In doing so, the Museum hopes to inspire and further a better development in our society, by focusing on the diversity and plight og women in their daily life.

Kvinnemuseet is located in a beautiful villa in Swiss style, dating from 1857. Its name - Rolighed - means "Peaceful place", and was once the home of Dagny Juel. She grew up there, in the vicinity of the 17th century fortress and well conserved wooden buildings of Øvrebyen, the oldest part of Kongsvinger town.

Among its many activities Kvinnemuseet will every summer introduce new cultural historical exhibitions and from time to time also contemporary art exhibitions. The museum has four permanent exhibitions: "Kvinnesak - er det noen sak?" is dedicated to the history of women's rights over the past 150 years. "Damen i Berlin" is dedicated to Dagny Juel (1867-1901), and her role as a pianist and author in the dynamic company of famous European artists. "Fortiet. Aborthistorien" tells the "secret" history of the abortion in Norway, from the Middelages and up to present time, focusing on the different laws and women's own experiences. "Historien om Rolighed" is dedicated to the house it self, and tells about the many different puposes it has served - actually it's said to have had "seven lives". 

In the museum's distinctive sitting room and blue stencilled kitchen Café Dagny offers home made luncheons and the World-renowned Bohemian cake.

Groups: Contact us for arrangements throughout the year.
Special program for school classes.