Bexell Cottage

Bexell Cottage.

Interior of Bexell Cottage, early 20th century. The girl on the picture is Herdis Bexell, a relative of Alfred Bexell.

The Bexell Cottage (Swedish: Bexellska stugan) is a small cottage in Varberg, Sweden.

The Bexell Cottage was originally built in 1785 in Harplinge. In 1876, it was bought by politician, member of parliament and land tenure Alfred Bexell, from its owner Jöns Jönsson (born 1828) together with all movable. Jönsson was only allowed to retain his day dress, according to the purchase agreement. Even Jönsson's snuffbox passed to the ownership of Bexell. Alfred Bexell was the first in Sweden who bought and protected a Swedish peasant's home for museal purpose. He inspired Arthur Hazelius to establish the open-air museum Skansen in Stockholm.

In 1906, the cottage was moved to Varberg. In the 20th century, it was called bålastugan, a Hallandic name of the type of cottage. In 2003, it became a part of Varberg County Museum. Today it's named Bexell Cottage after Alfred Bexell.

In Bexell Cottage there are furnitures and painted wall tapestry from the 19th century. The tapestry cover the walls and ceiling of the cottage. Originally, they were only used for Christmas, but today they are posted all the year around.

Bexell Cottage can be visited by the public at the shows of the cottage that are arranged by Varberg County Museum.

References

• Strömbom, Margareta (2007). Bålastugan. Bexellska ryggåsstugan - en föregångare till friluftsmuseet Skansen. Varberg: CAL-förlag. ISBN 91-973990-5-1. 

Coordinates: 57°6′17.03″N 12°15′23.46″E / 57.1047306°N 12.2565167°E / 57.1047306; 12.2565167

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