For 100 years, the government has protected Norwegian buildings.
From farms of old aristocrats and civil servants to modern cultural monuments.
But the Fredet association is concerned because the funding it receives from the Swedish National Ministry of Climate and Environment is insufficient.
– In fact, in recent years there has been less money for the maintenance and restoration of old buildings. It’s a shame, because it’s a pleasure and an honor to own such a building that Norway believes is worth looking after for posterity, says Hans-Roger Selnes, president of the Fredet association.
Fogedgården in Namsos was built after the town fire in 1897, and was the only wooden house that survived the bombing of Namsos in 1940 by German planes.
Photo: Espen Sandmo / NRK
3,000 preserved buildings
Today, around 3,000 privately owned buildings are preserved in Norway, and national antiquarian Hanna Keiren admires all those who own them across the country. But he admits that the financial support they have received in recent years has not been great.
– This is NOK 150 million, which we receive from the state budget. This has been the case for the past few years, while we have had a significant rise in wages and prices, he tells NRK.
Riksandikvar Hanna Keiron appreciates all the private individuals who take care of preserved buildings in Norway.
Photo: Randy Norstebo / NRK
Profits from the government are low
But the Ministry of Climate and Environment is not hopeful of much financial support.
– with The tight budget structures that the government has worked with in recent years have left no room to strengthen this item. But we are Continuously works to ensure good structure for owners of cultural heritage.
– BOwners of cultural monuments and cultural environments make great efforts to preserve an important part of the country’s cultural heritage, Kjersti Bjørnstad, Secretary of State at the Ministry of Climate and Environment, writes in an email to NRK.
Sjur Agdestein and his family have spent 15 years and a lot of money restoring the Hegge farm in Steinkjer.
Photo: Espen Sandmo / NRK
Because it costs more to maintain a protected house than a normal building. All work should be carried out in consultation with the security authorities and should be carried out according to the time of construction of the building.
– Hedge Farm dates back to the 1750s, and then the choice of materials and craftsmanship must take place in a completely different way than when you renovate a modern home. The work has to be perfectly primitive, says Sjur Agdestein, the owner of the farm in Steinkjer.
15 years maintenance
For 15 years, he and his family have rebuilt an old bailiff’s and civil servant’s farm on the hill above the center of Steinkjer. Hard and expensive work.
– We get 25 percent of the expenses through government grants, so something. It’s nice to live here, but we want more support, says Akdestein.
Heck Farm was built in the 1750s and was already preserved in 1923.
Photo: Espen Sandmo / NRK
Due to lack of money, many listed buildings fall into disrepair. Many are in poor condition to be demolished. People who are happy in old houses say it’s a shame.
– I have owned Fogedgården in Namsos for over 20 years. The only wooden house in the center was spared when the Germans bombed the town on 20 April 1940. So it’s a historic building that many people in the city appreciate, says Hans-Roger Selnes.
— but the joy of owning such a home can be somewhat overshadowed by the problems and challenges associated with preserving them, admits the association’s president, Fredette.
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