Grimstad's town museum covers the maritime and commercial history of the town from its heyday as a shipbuilding and sailing centre in the 18th and 19th centuries. Grimstad was once one of the busiest small ports on the Norwegian south coast, sending merchant ships across the North Sea and into the Mediterranean. The collections include ship models, navigation instruments, maritime paintings, and documents from the town's trading past.
The museum also has exhibits on the broader history of the Aust-Agder region and a section covering Grimstad's literary associations beyond Ibsen — the town has produced a disproportionate number of Norwegian writers and is home to an annual short story festival (Kortfilmfestivalen). The museum is run by the same foundation as the Ibsen museum; a combined ticket is available.