Preus Museum

Preus Museum in Horten is Norway's national museum of photography. It sits within the former naval base area of Karljohansvern, in a historic building that began life as a grain store and was converted into exhibition space.

What is the Preus Museum?

It is a state institution that approaches photography from three angles: artistic, cultural-historical and technical. The collections hold photographs, but also photographic equipment and books. That mix shows photography as art, as a history of technology, and as a record of everyday life.

Where did the museum come from?

It started with one person's passion. Leif Preus opened a photography shop in 1956, and the business grew large enough to fund further acquisitions. The collection he built became the foundation of the Preus Photo Museum, which he opened in 1976 in Horten, on Langgata street.

The next turning point came in the mid-1990s. The state bought the collections from the private museum, in 1994 according to some sources and 1995 according to others. From then on the institution had national status. After the takeover it was for a time known as Norsk museum for fotografi, and the Preus Museum name returned in 2005 as part of a wider renewal.

About the building

The museum stands in Karljohansvern, Horten. The building, originally a grain store for the Royal Norwegian Navy, dates to the 1860s. In 2001 it was adapted for museum use by architect Sverre Fehn. It is a good example of giving a new role to historic military-era architecture.

Who should visit?

• Photography lovers who want to see how cameras and image-making techniques evolved.
• Anyone curious about Norwegian history seen through photographers' eyes.
• Architecture fans interested in the reuse of industrial and naval buildings.
• Travellers exploring Horten and the Oslofjord area who want something off the usual trail.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Preus Museum a national museum? Yes, it is Norway's national museum of photography. The state took over the collection from the private museum in the mid-1990s.

Who was Leif Preus? A collector and businessman in the photography trade. He founded the shop in 1956 and opened the first museum in 1976.

What is in the collections? Photographs, photographic equipment and books, covering art, cultural history and technology.

Who designed the building's conversion? Architect Sverre Fehn, who adapted the former storehouse for museum use in 2001.

Why did the name change? After the state takeover the institution used the name Norsk museum for fotografi. The Preus Museum name was reintroduced in 2005 with the museum's renewal.

Before visiting, check the museum's official website for current opening hours and exhibitions.