About Frolands Verk
Frolands Verk was established around 1765 and functioned as an ironworks until 1867, when operations were transferred to forestry and sawmilling. The works were the last ironworks in what was called the Arendals field, known for its rich deposits of iron ore, among other things. The works were best known for casting cannonballs, but also produced stoves, pots and nails.
The building complex from the iron production at Frolands Verk is gone. What remains is the farm complex, and this will be the physical arena for the museum. The facility has been named Frolands jernverk, Froland jernverk, Frolands værk – and today goes by the name Frolands Verk, just like the place name in the area.
The main building was listed as early as 1924, and is considered one of the finest of its kind in Norway. Together with the rest of the farm, the garden and the surrounding open-air area, we have an attractive facility for museum operation. It is reasonably compact, easily accessible to the public, and the buildings are all in all well maintained. The facility, and especially the main building, has solid status as a cultural monument.
The work on Wood
Store norske leksikon has a nice article about the history of Frolands Verk. "The works were built on the farm Træ by Trævatn, today Trevann, in Froland municipality in eastern Agder . There was already a large sawmill there with ample access to water power and forests . There was also plenty of iron ore nearby. The owner of the farm, Skjelluf Træ, did not like the plans for an ironworks on his land. He was given the choice of either renting out the farm or selling it to the ironworks, and reluctantly agreed to rent it out."
The museum arena consists of:
Main Building
The manor house was built in 1791, expanded in the early 1800s, and protected as a heritage site in 1924.
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Other Buildings
The stable, carriage house, cowshed, post house, boathouse, small stable, and the office. These date from the first half of the 19th century.
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Garden/Park
County Road 42 divides the property in two. On the opposite side of the main building lies the beautiful garden, developed together with the ironworks. Nearby the garden is Lysthusheia with a pavilion, which was restored just a few years ago.
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Outdoor Area with Swimming Spot
The property is located right next to Lake Trævannet. By the lake is a popular swimming area, part of a state-protected outdoor recreational area.
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Pier
Downhill from Lysthusheia towards Trævannet is a developed pier with a boat launching ramp.
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The Old Ironworks Site with the Office
When the ironworks was active, the administration building, called the Office (Kantoret), was located nearby on the other side of the road.