Norges Hjemmefrontmuseum

Table of Contents

Introduction

Norges Hjemmefrontmuseum, located at Akershus Fortress in Oslo, Norway, offers a compelling journey through the nation’s wartime experience. Nestled within the historic fortress grounds, the museum focuses on the German occupation of Norway from April 9, 1940, to liberation in May 1945. As one of the country’s most significant institutions for wartime history, it offers visitors deep insight into the resistance movement and everyday life under occupation.

About the Museum

Founded in 1962 by prominent resistance figures, the museum was created to preserve and promote the memory of Norway’s struggle for freedom and democratic values . It officially opened on May 8, 1970—the twenty-fifth anniversary of liberation—in the historic “Det dobbelte batteri” and adjoining buildings at Akershus Fortress. Originally a private foundation funded by both veterans and industry, it became part of the Norwegian Armed Forces museums in 1995.

Today, the museum is responsible for a vast collection of original artefacts, photographs, archives, and oral histories related to the occupation era. It maintains over 5,000 physical objects—ranging from personal weapons, communication equipment, uniform items, sabotage materials and flags to household goods from civilian life. In addition, its photographic archives contain approximately 40,000 images—about 20,000 in the central collection—documenting both civilian and military aspects of occupation .

Visitors can explore the permanent exhibition, which presents 48 thematic sections tracing events from the German invasion in 1940, through the dismantling of democracy, civil resistance, military resistance, daily life, and culminating in the liberation of May 1945. The narratives are thoughtfully presented in both Norwegian and English.

For researchers and students, the museum’s reading room, archive, and library are available by appointment. The archival holdings comprise over 600 shelf metres of official and private documents—including interviews, clandestine newspapers, and official correspondence from Norwegian authorities in exile.

The museum also hosts guided tours, school programmes, lectures, exhibitions, and annual public events such as the free “open day” on May 8—complete with ceremonies and English- and Norwegian-language guided visits . It remains a vibrant centre for engaging with Norway’s wartime legacy.

Interesting Facts

The museum began as a private foundation established by resistance veterans in 1962 and officially opened to the public on May 8, 1970.
It is housed in a protected seventeenth‑century battery and nineteenth‑century timber‑framed structures sensitively renovated to honour their historical significance .
The collection features around 5,000 artefacts from the occupation period, including weapons, communication devices, flags, sabotage tools, uniforms, and everyday civilian items .
Its photographic archive comprises roughly 40,000 images, with 20,000 core photographs documenting both German occupation and resistance activities.
The thematic exhibition is divided into forty‑eight segments, covering everything from the April 9 invasion to the preparations for liberation in May 1945, and is bilingual in Norwegian and English.
The archival collection includes over 600 shelf metres of materials: private diaries, interviews with resistance members, clandestine newspapers, and official records from Norwegian forces in London and Stockholm.
The museum offers public events such as the May 8 open day, which includes free entry, drop‑in guided tours, and a wreath‑laying ceremony at the fortress’s execution site.

Photo Gallery

Physical Location

Contact Details

Phone: +472 309 3138

Website: forsvarshistoriskmuseum.no/norges-hjemmefrontmuseum

Facebook: facebook.com/norgeshjemmefrontmuseum

Conclusion

Norges Hjemmefrontmuseum stands as a moving and meticulously curated tribute to Norway’s resilience during one of the most challenging periods in its modern history. With its authentic artefacts, extensive image and document archives, and thoughtful bilingual exhibits, the museum delivers a powerful narrative of resistance, oppression, and eventually liberation. Whether you are deeply interested in the details of wartime communication or intrigued by stories of everyday life under occupation, this museum offers invaluable perspective and insight. Complemented by guided tours, educational programming, and commemorative events, a visit to the museum is both enlightening and emotionally resonant. For anyone seeking to understand Norway’s wartime past, a trip to the top of Akershus Fortress is absolutely essential.