The Drammen Museum occupies two sites: a main building near the river and the Marienlyst manor house a short walk away, set in a small park. The permanent collection covers the history of the Drammen region from the Viking age through the industrial era, with particular strength in the timber trade and shipping industries that made the city prosperous. The art collection includes Norwegian landscape painting from the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.
The Marienlyst manor, which dates from the 1750s, is the more atmospheric of the two spaces. It was the home of wealthy timber merchants and is preserved with period furniture and fittings. The surrounding park is a pleasant place to sit even if you skip the interior. Combined tickets for both sites are available at reception. The museum is closed on Mondays.