Henrik Ibsen Museum

Henrik Ibsen Museum in Skien is a museum devoted to Norway's most famous playwright, set in the town where he was born. It is part of Telemark Museum, a regional museum in south-eastern Norway, and tells the story of Henrik Ibsen's childhood in Telemark.

Who was Henrik Ibsen, and why Skien?

Henrik Ibsen was born in Skien in 1828 and spent his first years here. His plays became a permanent part of world theatre, making him one of the central figures of European literature. The museum shows the surroundings in which he grew up and how his home town may have shaped the work that followed.

The childhood home at Venstøp farm

The heart of the story is Venstøp, a summer farm in Gjerpen a few kilometres north of the town centre. When Henrik was seven, the whole Ibsen family moved there. It remained their home until he left for Grimstad at the age of 15. Venstøp is the only one of Ibsen's homes in Skien that still stands, which gives it special value for anyone interested in history and literature.

A new look at the writer's childhood

For a long time it was assumed that Ibsen grew up in poverty and shame. Research by Telemark Museum conservator Jørgen Haave suggests the family was better off than believed: they had servants and a spacious house with room for guests. This changes the picture of the writer's early years and is one of the themes the museum wants to share with visitors.

Is the museum open at Venstøp right now?

Not fully. From 2025 to 2028 the Henrik Ibsen Museum is temporarily housed in Brekkeparken in Skien, while Venstøp is a major construction site. The barn is being converted into a year-round museum and the main house restored to the period when Ibsen and his family lived there. The new museum is due in 2028, the 200th anniversary of the writer's birth.

Frequently asked questions

Where is the museum? In Skien, in the Telemark region of Norway. Its temporary home is currently in Brekkeparken.

Can I see Ibsen's childhood home? Venstøp is the only surviving Ibsen family home in Skien, but there is no permanent exhibition there during the rebuilding. Check Telemark Museum's current information before you visit.

Who is it for? Theatre and literature lovers, anyone interested in Norwegian history, and travellers in Telemark who want to find the roots of one of the great playwrights.

When will the new museum open? The planned opening is 2028, the 200th anniversary of Henrik Ibsen's birth.

How much time should I allow? A few hours is usually enough for the temporary exhibition and a stroll through Brekkeparken, but opening hours and ticket prices should be confirmed with the museum.