Places with a story
Gjøvik gård
Gjøvik gård preserves a house at the heart of the city's industrial beginnings. Its pale exterior, historic rooms and central park connect the glassworks founder's household with later family life and the growth of Gjøvik around manufacturing.
About the place1
Caspar Kauffeldt's glassworks was the first major enterprise in the future industrial town. The house he built at Gjøvik gård stood out among unpainted timber buildings, with unusually large window panes. Today the museum uses the people who lived here to explain the city's history in a tangible domestic setting.
History and local connections1
The main building was erected in 1810 while the glassworks operated from 1807 to 1843. Later, the Mjøen family's home accumulated furnishings that survive from the period 1861–1956. The estate was protected in 2008, preserving both its historical importance and its role within the modern centre of Gjøvik.
What to look for1
A guided interior visit introduces the family's furniture and possessions, while the park gives space to appreciate the house in its urban surroundings. Nearby Holmen Brænderi has a glass exhibition, which the museum recommends as a complementary visit across Hunnselva. Together they link the household with the industrial story behind it.
Plan your visit1
Mjøsmuseet normally opens the house during the school summer holiday and accepts advance group bookings during the rest of the year. Consult its official page before expecting an interior visit. The café in Drengestua has separate arrangements, so distinguish a stop for food from a museum tour of the preserved main house.
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