Listen closely because the Gård fra Sønder Sejerslev whispers tales of a rich past. This grand marsh farm hails from western Sønderjylland. It stands as a testament to a unique period in Danish history.
The Gård fra Sønder Sejerslev’s residents were Danish-speaking. They were also Danish-minded during the years 1864 to 1920. This was a time when the area was under German rule. The farm showcases the 1870s. Danish farmers then began to focus on livestock and dairy farming.
Notice the large cowshed. Butter production thrived here. The raising of fattened cattle also prospered. The flat, treeless marsh provided ample grazing. The farmers fully exploited these opportunities.
Let’s delve deeper into the history of Gård fra Sønder Sejerslev. Parts of the farm date back to the 1700s. Later additions and modifications occurred in 1779 and 1823. The farm’s current appearance reflects its look after 1874. A new owner made significant changes to the main building.
The owners of Gård fra Sønder Sejerslev engaged in international trade. This trade occurred both by land and sea for centuries. The lucrative “skudefart” flourished in the 1600s. It ran southward from the trading towns of Ribe and Tønder. The most enterprising farmers bought shares in these ships. Tyge Hansen owned the farm in the 1690s. He was one such investor.
Peter Michelsen took over the Gård fra Sønder Sejerslev in the 1730s. He pursued many activities besides cattle breeding and grain cultivation. He possessed mechanical and technical ingenuity. Peter worked as a clockmaker and metal smith. He was also a merchant and coppersmith. A grandfather clock made by Peter Michelsen stands on the farm.
After Peter Michelsen’s widow, the Clausen family acquired the Gård fra Sønder Sejerslev. This family owned the farm into the 1900s. The family belonged to the region’s elite. Mikkel Sørensen Clausen was a highly respected parish bailiff. Around 270 guests attended Mikkel Clausen’s funeral.
The basic design is typical for the area. The main wing is very long. It is divided in the middle by an entrance door and hallway. The hallway provides access to both the living quarters and the stables.
Above the door, you can see a decorative gable. Behind the stable sits a large square barn. A series of round brick air vents provide light. One side is built with large red-painted planks.
Attached to the residential section is a small transverse wing. It houses a kitchen, common room, and pantry. There is also a maid’s room and a large storage room. Part of it is in the basement.
Gård fra Sønder Sejerslev is built of brick. This construction method was first introduced to the region in Sønderjylland. It became common during the 1700s. Several local brickyards sprung up in Sønderjylland. They supplied the local farmers with bricks.
Gård fra Sønder Sejerslev features a folkestue. It is the only farmhouse on the museum with one. The folkestue is where the staff ate and spent their evenings. Until well into the 1800s, both staff and family lived together on Danish farms. Often, the staff were relatives of the farm’s family.
However, wealthy farms began to separate. They created social distance from their servants. The folkestue allowed them to do this.
The garden of Gård fra Sønder Sejerslev follows 1800s landscaping ideals. It features a lawn, cozy nooks, and small paths around the flowerbeds. In spring, old-fashioned tulip varieties bloom in the lawn’s round beds.
The Gård fra Sønder Sejerslev represents a fascinating chapter in Danish agricultural history. It is a story of wealth, innovation, and cultural identity.