Norwegian Museum of Cultural History, Oslo (must see)

Situated in Oslo, the Norwegian Museum of Cultural History (Norsk Folkemuseum) stands as a repository of cultural heritage. Its extensive assortment comprises artifacts from diverse societal segments and geographical regions within the country. A highlight of the museum is its expansive open-air section featuring over 150 structures sourced from urban and rural locales.

Nestled on the Bygdøy peninsula, the Norwegian Museum of Cultural History finds itself in close proximity to a cluster of fellow museums, including the Viking Ship Museum, the Fram Museum, the Kon-Tiki Museum, and the Norwegian Maritime Museum.

Originating in 1894 under the guidance of librarian and historian Hans Aall (1869–1946), the museum's inception saw the construction of temporary exhibition edifices and the relocation of numerous rural structures. The museum officially welcomed the public in 1901. In a significant development, the collections of King Oscar II, located nearby, were integrated into the museum in 1907. At its core stands a collection of five transplanted buildings, with the iconic Gol Stave Church leading the way. This ensemble is hailed as the world's inaugural open-air museum, established in 1881.

The museum features notable structures like the 13th-century Gol Stave Church, merged into Norsk Folkemuseum in 1907. Among five medieval buildings displayed, there's the 14th-century Rauland farmhouse, a tenement from 15 Wessels gate (1865) with seven flats showcasing 19th to 20th-century interiors. One flat mimics a 2002 Pakistani immigrant family's living space. In 1951, Norsk Folkemuseum acquired Sami collections from the University of Oslo's Ethnographic Museum.

Enriching its holdings, the museum boasts an expansive photographic archive, a substantial portion of which comprises works by the renowned photographer Anders Beer Wilse (1865–1949). Throughout its existence, the museum has been a hub of research, delving into areas such as architecture, furnishings, attire, textiles, technological and societal customs, agriculture, collective memory, and Sami culture.

Why You Should Visit:
To get a keen insight into Norwegian life across hundreds of years.

Tip:
Plan to spend at least 3-4 hours to give this skansen/museum justice.
It is worth taking the free guided tours (about 1h) for the interesting info about the buildings and cultural history.