The Occupation Period Collection - Museum in Kolding in Bunkeren on Rømøvej

An experience that contains both good stories about police work and stories behind the solving of several major cases - and a trip back in time to Denmark during the occupation. It is only open to groups, so please contact us for more information.

- I was on a weekend stay in Skagen, where I visited their bunker museum. So I thought, if they can get so much out of it, what can't we get out of our piles here? These were the words of Kolding's mayor, Jørn Pedersen, when he inaugurated the Occupation Era collection at Rømøvej 9 on 2012 November 4.

The mayor and occupation collector Frank Hansen has previously attended the same class at the Business School and it was through this that Jørn became acquainted with the collection. Therefore, in the fall of 2010, he called Frank to hear if he would make his collection available to the public. In return, the municipality would pay for rent and light, water and heat.

The bunker, which for a number of years had functioned as a "Cold War bunker", had long ago served its military service and is now used as a museum bunker. Today, the museum shows many of the things that appeared during the occupation and which provide an insight into the years of occupation 1940-45. The stands are divided into different categories.

One can i.a. see effects that originate from the concentration camps and a Red Cross package that is still with content. A few showcases contain some German leftovers such as uniform parts from the Luftwaffe and a few daggers.

The museum also has some colorful and fun effects from the liberation days, such as a gas mask container that has been turned into a coffee pot. Armbands were also a part of during the occupation and the collection has some variants of the known armband with the shield, but in addition also a number of more unknown armbands.

Then, of course, there are also illegal magazines, printing machines, blackout lights and curtains, all of which have in common that they were created during the occupation of Denmark. Tobacco cultivation is a small chapter in itself for which space has also been found.

A few of the slightly more remarkable effects that can be seen at the museum are a complete regas generator, a Matador lokum with Hitler under the board, and one of the German helmets, which after the liberation were converted into urinals here in Kolding. Housework from Horserød and Frøslevlejren can be seen i.a. the well-known frog ladle and some homemade playing cards.

The museum also has its own small occupation library which is available for free use. Of dumping effects, the museum is also well represented. One can i.a. see one of the very rare drop-down radios with codebook from SOE.

The museum is open by appointment. Contact Frank Hansen on 23666488. Price DKK 20, - including tour, where it is possible to stand with the original effects in hand. You are very welcome to bring beer, soda, coffee and cake, as there is a table and chairs for 20 people if you come as a company.

Updated by: Destination Triangle Area | info@tdto.dk