The Evju Bygdetun in Sauherad is an interesting and lively local museum in mid- Telemark situated between the villages Gvarv (4 kilometres)and Bø (6 kilometres). The old farm buildings date back to the 18th and 19th centuries. Their furniture and utilities, tools and the like bear witness to a farm whose owners have been keen to keep up local customs and traditions. Of special interest is perhaps the collection of handmade silver-mounted knives and the exquisite locally woven tapestries. The Vengeburet storehouse, The Miller Son's Cottage ( i.e. the master fidller Mr Torgeir Augundson (1801 - 1872), The Sash Weaver's Cottage and the Holtanstugo farmhouse have all been moved to the Evju Bygdetun in recent years. Needless to say, each of them has its own story to tell. In this pleasant farmyard with goats bleating and hens cackling we welcome young and old alike.

In summer the Evju Bygdetun is open daily, except mondays, between 12.00 and 5.00 p.m. Food and snack for sale in the 'Eldhuset' ('Cookhouse') Reservations from groups are welcome all year round. People tend to celebrate their weddings and anniversaries at our site. We can arrange guided tours for specially interested groups by appointment (maximum 80 persons).

The Sauherad municipality has about 4, 400 inhabitants. This local community, traversed by the Sauar and Gvarv Rivers encircles the pleasant Norsjø lake and offers with ample opportunity for boating, swimming, fishing and camping. The municipality acccounts for about 25 per cent of all registered fruit produce in Norway and if you decide to take a closer look at the orchards in the flowering season you are in for an experience of exceptional beauty. The municipality also prides itself on two characteristic and famous stone churches from the 12 century. The choir of the Nes stone church is generally considered among one of the most intimate and beautiful church rooms in Norway.



Erik Werenskiold "Telemarksjenter" ( Girls from Telemark).
Gvarv 1888, Oil on canvas. National Gallery, Oslo

It was this region that inspired the famous Norwegian painter and artist Mr. Erik Werenskiold to paint a number of his most famous landscapes i.a. the rustic paintings , 'Telemarksjenter' (Girls from Telemark')(1883) and 'En bondebegravelse' ('Rustic funeral') (1885) - the latter arguably the first impressionist painting in Norway. The Sauherad municipality is centrally located in Telemark between the towns Skien and Notodden and quite close to the 'Sommarland' amusement park in Bø(water activities with the biggest water half-pipe in Nothern Europe.) We strongly recommend a combined trip to 'Sommarland' and 'The Evju Bygdetun'.

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