NORWAY - Europe by Eurail 2015: Touring Europe by Train - page 438

Among the city's attractions, the Museum of Historical Vehicles opens at 1000
from mid-June through mid-August and at 1100 the remainder of the year. Just
north of Lillehammer you may visit Lilleputhammer, a scale model town of 62
miniature houses, where kids can romp at Hunderfossen Family Park. Ask the
tourist office for details.

The city's stellar attraction is a 100-acre open-air museum known as Maihau-
gen. It is within easy walking distance of the tourist information office. The office
can provide you with a city map as well as several brochures describing the
Maihaugen Museum. The museum area is divided into three sections, and each
depicts a different mode of Norwegian life. Its origins spring from the private col-
lection of a dentist, Dr. Anders Sandvig.
As a young dentist just out of school, Dr. Sandvig came to Lillehammer in 1885.
He soon learned that many of his patients preferred to pay him with products rather
than cash. Sometimes it was a farm implement or a piece of furniture. Dr. Sandvig's
practice grew, and so did his collection. Eventually, he laid out the museum area
and began filling it with old buildings, which he acquired and transported to Lille-
hammer. Apparently, the museum business was more rewarding than dentistry, for
Dr. Sandvig retired from the profession to run the museum personally, which he did
until 1946, when he died at the age of 84.
The museum, founded in 1887, has 185 old buildings, with handicrafts sections
of 60 workshops demonstrating skills of the local artisans. Hours: June-August:
1000-1700; September-May: 1100-1600, closed Monday. E-mail: