Norwegian Maritime Museum in Oslo

The Norwegian Maritime Museum in Oslo is a partner of the National Maritime Museum in the “Shipwreck Conservation Centre combined with Studio Warehouse in Tczew – construction of cultural infrastructure of the National Maritime Museum in Gdańsk” project.

Cooperation and conference
Cooperation of partner institutions with the National Maritime Museum in Gdańsk is based on exchange of experience and good practices in regards to conservation of archaeological objects extracted from wet environment. These works are also supported by the Museum of Cultural History in Oslo (Kulturhistorisk museum Universitetet i Oslo). As a part of joined activities, the institutions will organize a conference devoted to conservation and digitalization of museum collections which will be held in Gdansk in 2015.

Museum on an island
The Norwegian Maritime Museum (Norsk Maritimt Museum) was founded in 1914 and is situated on the Bygdøy Peninsula. The institution is based in a modern building which has been repeatedly awarded in architectural competitions. The Museum’s collection includes historic items related to the seaside culture and history, maritime archaeology, fishing and shipbuilding industries. The Maritime Gallery and exposition of ship models constitute an important part of the Norwegian Museum.

Range of activities and cooperation
The main fields of the Museum’s activities in regards to research, collection management and promotion of knowledge are history and development of inshore and oceanic sailing fleet, seaside culture and heritage of traditional boats, underwater and maritime archaeology, as well as management of national maritime heritage. The Museum conducts its activities based on partnership with non-governmental organizations, such as Norwegian Sea Rescue and Coastal Federation. Cooperation with the Association of Friends of the Norwegian Maritime Museum, which unites former sailors and all enthusiasts of maritime issues, has resulted in the Children’s Ship Wharf and many other projects.

Conservation and digitalization
The collections of the Norwegian Maritime Museum are regularly digitalized by its specialists assisted by volunteers from the Museum’s Association of Friends. The effects of their works are published on the national website “The Digital Museum” and on the website of NMM in Oslo. The materials are integrated with national databases accessible to researchers and individual Internet users.
In 2009, archaeologists discovered 13 shipwrecks in the port of Oslo. The best preserved shipwreck will become a topic of the upcoming two main exhibitions. The object dates back to 1595, it has undergone the conservation process called freeze-drying and will be exhibited on the premises of the central Norges Bank. In September 2011, specialists in a number of fields completed reconstruction of the Vaaghals ship. The interdisciplinary reconstruction of this vessel was a part of the IKON European programme.

Ships and exhibitions
The collection of traditional open boats of the Norwegian Maritime Museum is the most diversified collection of this type in Norway. The Gjøa ship is an example of a valuable exhibit vessel. Onboard this ship in 1903 – 1906, Roald Amundsen became the first man in the world to traverse the Northwest Passage, i.e. to sail from Europe to Asia through the Arctic Archipelago. The restored 100-year-old sailing ship Svanen is a training vessel but also serves as a venue for commercial events.
Exhibitions organized by the Museum are also devoted to the fleet subject. Opened 4 years ago, the Skipet (“The Ship”) exhibition is related to renovation of vessels. The Norge er havet (“Norway is the Sea”) and Til Sjos (“At sea”) exhibitions are planned to be opened in 2014. The subject of the first exposition is development of Norwegian ships, while “At Sea” covers the subject of life at sea.

Project “Shipwreck Conservation Centre with Studio Warehouse in Tczew – construction of new cultural infrastructure of the National Maritime Museum in Gdańsk” within the Programme “Conservation and revitalization of cultural heritage”. Supported by a grant from Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway through the EEA and Norway Grants and co-financed by the Polish funds.