Frilandsmuseet, Lyngby, Denmark

The Open Air Museum ("Frilandsmuseet" in Danish) is an interesting way to learn about Denmark's rural history in an immersive way.

Also known as a folk museum, this open air museum features several buildings, including houses, barns, and a windmill, that give the visitor an authentic understanding of how life was lived dating back as far as 1650.

Moved piece by piece from various locations in Denmark and rebuilt onsite, all the buildings are original. The olive green and brick design of this outbuilding caught my eye.

Museum volunteers dressed in period costumes. They were a little shy about a having their photo taken but smiled none-the-less.

Weather permitting, horse-drawn wagon rides are offered. 

A typical kitchen . . .

. . . with its well-equipped cupboard.

A sample of Danish tile found in one of the more luxurious homes.

A spinning and weaving room.

Living area with a bed curtained to retain heat.

The blacksmith's station with his tools of the trade.

Brian is 6'1" tall, so this gives you an idea of how low the ceilings were, probably to retain heat. Plus, items were stored in the rafters.

This brightly painted red and blue house has a view of the pond with its resident flock of geese. Sheep, chickens, and other livestock are also kept at the museum. 

Grethe, my friend and host mom in 1985 when I studied in Copenhagen, chats with one of the museum volunteers.

Frilandsmuseet is part of the National Museum of Denmark and is located in Lyngby, a suburb of Copenhagen. It is one of the largest and oldest open air museums in the world. We enjoyed our afternoon here very much!