Imagine living in a time when the wind carried sand across the land. This wind threatened to bury farms. That was life near Lønne, the origin of this very Gård fra Lønne.
Gård fra Lønne, also known as Lønnestak, represents a well-managed West Jutland farm. It dates back to the early 1800s. The Gård fra Lønne stands here as a testament to the resourcefulness of the people of the region.
The farm comes from Lønne Parish. This parish lies near Ringkøbing Fjord’s southern end. The area was once known for its open heath and shifting sands. Farmers there earned money through fishing, raising livestock, and farming.
Built in 1803, Gård fra Lønne was the first four-winged farm in Lønne parish. Christen Thuesen, a local farmer born in 1761, built it. He likely took over the farm when he married in 1782 at age 21. The farm replaced a smaller two-winged structure nearby.
The facade of Gård fra Lønne reflects the classicist style. Its entrance features white painted details. The outbuildings used timber from the old farm. This shows how they conserved resources. The cow barn was later rebuilt entirely of brick.
The four wings of Gård fra Lønne create a courtyard. A well stands in the yard. It has a trough leading to the stable. This allowed direct watering of the animals. Building with brick was a sign of prestige.
Søren Hansen, who later owned the farm, made changes inside the rooms after 1860. He added stencil-painted walls. These patterns resembled wallpaper. Decorative flowers were painted above the doors.
The main room has a long table with a bench under the window. It could seat twenty people. Fine ornaments were displayed in this room. It was used for feasts and gatherings. The family lived and slept in the small middle room between the kitchen and the large living room.
In 1821, Christen Thuesen’s son, Peder Christensen, inherited Gård fra Lønne. Peder’s daughter Anna married Søren Hansen. They took over the farm in 1848. The official deed was signed in 1852.
The contracts stated that Anna and Søren had to care for Anna’s younger brother, Henrik. He was either ill or disabled. Anna and Søren had three daughters and a son. Sadly, their son was chronically ill. Two of their daughters, Margrethe and Hansine, never married. They jointly took over the farm in 1896. They ran it with help from farmhands and day laborers.
After years of service, a farmhand named Peder Schmidt bought Gård fra Lønne from the two sisters. They moved to a new villa nearby. The sisters were known as “the rich girls”.
The Frilandsmuseet acquired Gård fra Lønne in 1959. It was rebuilt here in 1967. The Gård fra Lønne represents the building traditions of southwest Jutland.
Gård fra Lønne stands as a reminder of the past. It tells a story of farmers and their families. They worked hard to make a life in a harsh environment.