The Hofmansgave Foundation
The estate’s older buildings reflect the owners’ modest demands and lifestyle. There is nothing castle-like about the main building. A characteristic of the Hofman-Bang family was that they were all scientists who had studied natural sciences abroad and maintained their interest and contact with foreign scientific researchers throughout their lives. Their passion for agriculture and horticulture has greatly influenced the estate, turning Hofmansgave into a lush oasis in the middle of a barren and poor region.
Today, Hofmansgave is a foundation that can only be viewed from the outside. A modern farm operates here, producing milk and cultivating crops such as wheat, maize, and spinach seeds.
Denmark's Potato Museum
The 7-hectare park at Hofmansgave is open to the public. Here you will find Denmark’s only Potato Museum. The park reflects the owners’ botanical interests and also includes a small, newly restored sketch museum featuring sketches and studies by the painter Ellen Hofman-Bang and a collection of plaster sculptures by the sculptor Ausa Hofman-Bang.
The potato originates from South America and came to Europe in 1537 when Spanish soldiers brought it along with their stolen Inca gold. Potatoes first arrived in Denmark in the 18th century. Initially, they were not a popular food and were called “German lumps.” The landowners at Hofmansgave were passionate about agriculture and botany and worked hard to promote the potato in Denmark. That is why Denmark’s only potato museum is located in Hofmansgave’s park.
Denmark's Potato Museum is an exhibition about the history of the potato, featuring machines, figures, tools, and other fun and fascinating items from agriculture. It is open from April to October with free admission.
