Big changes are coming to Geomuseum Faxe, Cold War Museum Stevnsfort and Kulturmuseum Øst. Remodeling and development of the surroundings will help bring history alive for both young and old in the museums' authentic and historic settings.
The vision is clear: Geomuseum Faxe, Cold War Museum Stevnsfort and Kulturmuseum Øst must be opened up and invite future visitors much further into history with well-developed settings, experiences and activities.
- We have an extreme range of stories to tell here in Stevns and Faxe. Stevns Fort offers crucial Danish and European history and the fort's corridors are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The fossils in the limestone around Geomuseum Faxe tell the story of global evolution, and Kulturmuseum Øst has a collection of local treasures just waiting to come to light. We need to unlock all this potential so that we can continue to be relevant to both young and old museum visitors," says Kasper Renström Østervig, Director of Østsjællands Museum.
Ambitious development projects on a strong value foundation
The development projects for the destinations have different expressions, but they share a set of values with a focus on quality experiences and community. The distinctive locations should not be experienced through screens, but by letting visitors get up close to the war history, the material, the limestone, the fossils, the professional knowledge, the stories and the local historical artifacts.
At the Cold War Museum Stevnsfort, the original missile workshop is being converted into a new welcome center and the terrain is being returned to the austere military landscape design of the past, making room for more activities and learning spaces in the area. The design incorporates biodiversity by planting grasses that support wildlife and are allowed to grow tall.
Geomuseum Faxe opens up physically towards the limestone quarry and invites visitors inside for activity stations and creative play. The first floor will become more of a living room, and the museum as a whole will provide the setting for a day with limestone, fossils and Stevnsk geology to a greater extent than today.
Kulturmuseum Øst unfolds in the old town hall buildings as a local cultural center with exhibitions of local treasures and glass walls that provide a direct view of the work to record and preserve them. At the same time, it is a major focus to find partners for a versatile cultural center for citizens from Stevns and Faxe.
The development projects also share a common thread of sustainability. This means that no new buildings are built, and finding furniture made from recycled materials, for example, is a priority.
- The development of the museums involves many considerations, as they must speak to both the local community and the bigger picture. Realizing the vision contributes to boosting East Zealand as an attractive overall destination for tourism. When museums are relevant to a wider audience, it attracts more visitors to the local area and other cultural institutions, with whom we would love to collaborate on new experiences," says Kasper Renström Østervig.
Development projects have political backing
The development of Geomuseum Faxe and Stevnsfort is expected to run in parallel, and the aim is to open the two locations with a new look in 2026. Østsjællands Museum has formulated application materials for foundations to raise money for the projects, and the mayors of both Stevns and Faxe municipalities, who are both members of the museum's board, support the projects:
- I am pleased to see great ambitions to enhance the experience at Geomuseum Faxe. Development and innovation are crucial to maintaining a contemporary experience for both locals and tourists, so I'm very pleased that the board of East Zealand Museum has presented us with new ideas with great potential. It is obvious to use Geomuseum Faxe's premises in a new way, and I look forward to following the project," says Ole Vive, Mayor of Faxe Municipality.
- "The plans to preserve and develop Stevnsfort are very positive. They can benefit the entire municipality and help cement Stevns as an area with quality experiences," says Henning Urban Dam, Mayor of Stevns Municipality.
The development of Kulturmuseum Øst involves several cultural institutions and stakeholders to ensure that the potential for a new cultural center is developed in the best possible way and with broad relevance for the citizens.
Citizens need to get involved
The vision is ready and waiting to become reality, and now the work of raising funds to move forward with the development begins. And then, of course, the citizens must be involved. In 2025, Østsjællands Museum expects to hold a dialog meeting at Geomuseum Faxe to hear about citizens' thoughts and potential use of the building during the winter year.
The development projects at the three museums:
- Geomuseum Faxe will open up towards the limestone quarry and contain stations with activities for children and families. On the first floor, visitors can rest their legs and enjoy the magnificent view of Faxe Limestone Quarry surrounded by stories about the limestone, which has found its way to the Marble Church. This can be done with a cup of coffee - or a glass of white beer, which the lime workers enjoyed. In winter, the first floor can be used for business meetings or by local associations - in this way, Geomuseum Faxe becomes a relevant local player throughout the year.
- The Cold War Museum Stevnsfort'sterrain will be returned to the austere military style of the past, and space for activities, education and dining will be included in the authentic surroundings.
- Kulturmuseum Øst will exhibit local artifacts in an open warehouse, and glass walls will make it possible to follow the museum's work with registration and preservation. The former town hall building in Faxe will be reimagined as a local cultural center and the desire is to collaborate with several local cultural providers on a unified experience for citizens.
Press contact:
Director of Østsjællands Museum, Kasper Renström Østervig, phone: 20 51 77 20