- Restaurants |
- Nightlife |
- Shopping |
- Movies |
- All
Elverhoj Museum
- Price Range:
-
$
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
3 reviews for Elverhoj Museum
*editor's note: when this review was written, the business listing read "Elverhoy Museum".
I've said it before and I'll say it again.
Reference my smorgasborD review if you're fresh off the little red surrey.
Say it with me: Elverhoj. Sounds like "el-ver-hoy". SPELLED LIKE "Elverhoj". Once again, with the pretty little Viking strike through the O.
It means "elves on a hill" the same way "Solvang" means "sunny field" and "Staralfur" means "staring elf", except maybe not in the way "Staralfur" means "staring elf", because "staralfur" is Icelandic and words like Elverhoj and Solvang are Danish and meant to be spelled the DANISH way. No Y's allowed.
You're lucky because I'm not even Danish. I just have Solvang pride. Man, I can't believe I just said that. So now, let me hop on the horse-drawn trolley, like so many childhood friends who went on to have the embarrassingly public job of giving guided trolley tours, and give you: A Concise History of the Elverhoj Museum. Jaded, Spratt-style history.
It looks like a house--because it IS a house. See those other buildings around town? With the fake thatched roofs, the painted wood elf cutouts sliding down them, and the fake cranes nesting (for good luck)? Imagine if those were real. That's how this place was and is. It's the best example of Danish farmhouse architecture you're going to find this side of Denmark. And what's more, it retains the legacy of the artists who built it by not only housing Danish folk history, but by providing gallery space for local artists, and offering art classes to the public. Really affordable classes. The current curator of the Elverhoj also used to be the director of Arts Outreach for ever and ever, and is really committed to fine and folk art in the community. F***, it makes my jaded heart swell. Seriously.
Did I mention admission is free.
Yes, there are some touristtrappy places in the Valley. Yes, it's lame that they capitalize on a stereotyped version of Danish heritage to make a buck. Or they're the As Seen On TV store. But seriously? If you base your whole impression of Solvang on As Seen On TV? You lose. You lose out 'cause places like--
the ElverhoJJJJJ
Olsen's (mmm, kringle)
Rasmussen's
Mortensen's
Ingeborg's (see snackalicious review)
all the antiquarian, Scandinavian books at The Book Loft
and many others--are owned, run, and loved by the SuperDanes, second, third, fourth and fifth generation Danish families who look at Denmark with love, honor, and pride. Seriously, if you've never drank akvavit, eaten medisterpolse, sang De Skal Leve at a wedding or a fest, or danced round in circles with your partner twirling you a foot off the floor--you've probably never been to Denmark but maybe you also haven't been to the fun, cool, Dansk, Dansk, Dansk Solvang.
And I still ain't even Danish.
People thought this was:
- Useful (2)
- Funny (2)
- Cool (2)
If you're looking for more than food and pastries in Solvang, the Elverhoj museum is a must see. It was amazing to see all the history in a former family home. There was a lady there, making lace the "old fashioned way", and it was simply amazing to watch her as she used bobbins and string to make such elegant lace. The docent was very nice and we were able to learn so much about the origin of Solvang. I love history, and I think this is a great place to go. I never would have found it, if it weren't for the nice lady at the Solvang Information Center. The home was gorgeous, and seeing all the original decor was like being in Solvang in 1911 when it was established.
The Solvang Musuem has many examples of traditional Danish furnishings and explains the origins of Solvang - an outpost of Danish culture in central California. For a modest donation of $3 you can learn from the docents all about how the city got started, the local college that helped maintain Danish culture in the city, the mission, and Danish crafts. There's also a gallery attached to the museum dedicated to the two artists who owned the house before it was converted into a museum. Recommended to visitors who don't simply want to visit the shops on Copenhagen St!
