Key moments in the history of Hafslund Manor
Hafslund Manor is more than a beautiful estate – it is a living chapter of Norway’s history. With roots reaching back to the Middle Ages, the manor has been the setting for events of national significance, the rise of industry along the Sarpsfossen, the ideals of the Enlightenment, and important social reforms. Here, distinguished owners, strong personalities and royal guests have all left their mark on both the buildings and the surrounding landscape.
Today, Hafslund Manor stands as a unique blend of cultural heritage and a modern meeting place – where past and present meet in stately surroundings. This timeline offers a glimpse into the key milestones that have shaped the estate’s rich and multifaceted history.
Noble Estate – Starting with Timber
The nobleman Otte Bildt consolidated ownership of the already established sawmills along the Hafslund side of the Sarpsfossen, forming a noble estate with income based on the timber trade. He constructed stone buildings on the site where the main house stands today and secured estate privileges from the Crown. His son, Daniel Bildt, later completed the consolidation of all 17 sawmills, which came to be known as the ‘Bildt sawmills’.<br/>At the time, a few smaller mills also operated on the Borregård side, but the Hafslund side offered more favourable conditions for harnessing the power of the waterfall.<br/>Image: The Bildt family coat of arms
A gathering of the nobility at Hafslund
The meeting was called at the request of King Frederik III, who sought financial support to address the Crown’s debts. In July 1653, the nobility of southern Norway assembled at Hafslund to give their consent. The gathering marked Hafslund’s emergence as an estate of growing importance, and reflected the standing of its owner, Daniel Bildt. An officer with military ambitions, Bildt held several estates in both Denmark and Norway. Over time, however, he faced challenges in maintaining profitability in the timber industry, largely due to a shortage of timber for the sawmills. He died without heirs.
Royal Visit – The Country's Largest Timber Industry
During his royal journey, King Christian V visited Hafslund. At the time, the estate was owned by Werner Nielsen – a merchant, magistrate and assessor in the High Court. He had succeeded in establishing regular timber floating from Odalen, allowing the timber industry at Hafslund to flourish. The estate had now developed into a major industrial enterprise, employing several thousand people.<br/>During his visit, the King witnessed both a thriving and profitable operation and the formidable force of the Sarpsfossen. The first pillar at the viewpoint known as Kongehøien was later erected in memory of the occasion.<br/>Image: Sarpsfossen with Hafslund in the background, painted in 1699 by court painter Jacob Coning, commissioned by Christian V following his visit to Hafslund in 1685.
Royal Visit – The Landslide
Werner Nielsen’s eldest son succeeded his father as owner of Hafslund. He was later ennobled, appointed County Governor, and married the noblewoman Elisabeth de Tonsberg. Under his leadership, the estate was consolidated, and the main house was expanded in accordance with French ideals.<br/>In 1704, King Frederik IV visited Hafslund and was received in a newly completed residence, adorned with French and Italian art. While the King and his host likely shared stories of their travels on the continent, it was perhaps the account of the dramatic landslide two years earlier that left the strongest impression. The great collapse had swept Borregård and large parts of Old Sarpsborg into the Glomma, giving the waterfall a fearsome reputation.<br/>Image: Portrait of Frederik IV from the 18th century, artist unknown.
School and poorhouse
The establishment of a school and a waisenhus – a form of poor relief for Hafslund’s workers – was rooted in the ideals of the Enlightenment. As early as 1725, the late Hafslund owner Hartvig Huitfeldt had made a substantial donation to support the initiative. At the time, those working at Hafslund formed a small community of several hundred people, where living conditions were regarded as good by the standards of the day.<br/>Image: Hafslund School, dated 1925. Source: Sarpsborg Municipality Photo Collection.
The Manor House Burns
In a fatal fire, the old Baroque complex burned to the ground. The Collett–Elieson family had just moved in. The couple then built a new, magnificent building in the Rococo style. By 1761, the building was erected, and the following year the interior was finished and the Elieson family moved in. Norway's largest and best-preserved Rococo palace stands just as proudly today! Image: According to tradition, Anna Elieson is said to have toasted “to the new Hafslund” after it burned down, likely with a goblet such as this one.
Norway's Liberation
In the year of Norway’s independence in 1814, Hafslund played a central role. During the preceding Napoleonic Wars, the estate had served as a headquarters for the King’s representative, Prince August of Augustenborg. In 1814 itself, Hafslund frequently became a meeting place for the regent Christian Frederik and a base for military forces. The owner, Marcus Gjøe Rosenkrantz, was deeply involved in the political developments of the time. He took part in key negotiations, attended the Notables’ Meeting, signed the Constitution of 4 November 1814, and later served as President of the Storting. Yet the years following the Napoleonic Wars brought economic decline, and Rosenkrantz ultimately faced great financial hardship, leading to bankruptcy in 1835.<br/>Image: A print of the Constitution of 4 November 1814, bearing the signatures of its signatories, including Hafslund’s owner, Marcus Gjøe Rosenkrantz.
Hafslund Becomes a producer of power
Following the damming of the Sarpsfossen and the establishment of Aktieselskabet Hafslund in 1898, the first six generating units at Hafslund Power Plant were brought into operation in 1899. Once again, the estate became the centre of industrial activity, employing many and laying the foundation for further industrial development in the region. The main house was converted into offices, and much of its original interior was lost.<br/>Image: The earliest generating units at Hafslund Power Plant.
The Main House is protected
With a growing focus on cultural heritage preservation and improved financial conditions, Hafslund’s Rococo residence from 1762 was granted protected status. A series of studies and restoration works followed, culminating in a comprehensive restoration led by architect Arnstein Arneberg, completed in 1937.<br/>At the same time, the power company moved into a new administrative building designed by Arneberg, allowing the main house to regain its original splendour and resume its role as a representative setting for the company.<br/>Image: The main house photographed prior to Arnstein Arneberg’s restoration. Note the main entrance, which had at the time been moved to ground level.
Conversion of Farm Building into Modern Conference Center
In the early 2000s, the Hafslund Group had grown into a diverse organisation with several business areas and, at its peak, more than 2,000 employees. There was a clear ambition to make greater use of the manor, using it as a setting to strengthen identity and culture within the company. In 2006, work began to transform one of the estate’s former working buildings into a modern conference centre. Hafslund Conference Centre, together with newly built guest rooms, was completed in 2007 and was initially intended for the company’s own employees. Today, Hafslund Manor & Conference Centre serves as a venue for representation, meetings and events, welcoming both the Hafslund Group and external businesses.
Hafslund buys the power rights to the entire Sarpsfossen waterfall
In 2025, Hafslund AS acquired the rights to the entire Sarpsfossen. Plans are now underway to further harness the waterfall’s clean energy for the production of electricity. Once again, the company employs many people – echoing the scale of activity seen here in the 17th century.<br/>Image: Sarpsfossen