Our history
From decay to new life
When Berit and Karl took over the farm in 2014, the buildings had been left unmaintained for a long time. We saw that it would require extensive effort, and we embarked on a complete renovation of the entire yard. For us, it was important to preserve the values that were here.
Since 2014, countless hours of work and large resources have been invested in restoring the farm. It has been a demanding process with a lot of hard work, but the goal has always been clear: The farm should be restored as a living and usable place.
Restoration - We have been careful to preserve the historical character of the farmhouse and the 18th century barn. It is about respecting the craftsmanship that lies in the timber.
New solutions - In order for the farm to have a future in modern times, we have rebuilt the barn. Here we have installed functional facilities such as a large kitchen, brewery and drying room, so that we can welcome guests in a proper manner.
Kinship - The connection to the area runs deep. With parents like Jens Petter and Kari Inger Ekornes, the value of local ownership and creating something lasting has been an important driving force for us. Karl also brings the farm name Blakstad with him, which makes the responsibility of carrying on the legacy extra meaningful.
Garden history
Sjølv om vi har lagt ned mykje arbeid dei siste åra, er vi berre ein liten del av ei lang tidsline.
The first traces
The farm is one of the oldest settlements in the district. Archaeological finds show that people have lived here since the Late Bronze Age (about 700 BC). At the highest point on the headland lies a burial mound from the Viking Age, reminiscent of the time when the fjord was the main route for trade and power.
Carpenter-Anders and the Golden Cauldron
In the 18th century, Blakstadneset (Kremmernes) was a busy trading town. One of the most famous men from that time was "Snikkar-Anders" (Anders Davidsen). He ran a hardware store and was reportedly a very wealthy man. It is said that he hid a copper kettle full of gold and silver coins in a pile of stones on the farm. The treasure has never been found, but the story of the hardware store lives on in the walls here.
Faith and tradition
We preserve the old stories, such as the one about the Blackthorn tree by the well. It was believed that "Mother Hulda" lived there, and the tree was left alone to protect the farm from misfortune. We try to incorporate this respect for nature and tradition into our daily operations.
Today, Blakstad Gard is a place for both everyday life and parties. Whether you come for good food in Kjelleren or a party in Grindløa, we hope you notice that we have done our utmost to preserve this historic place.