History

Hildasholm has a rich history that spans generations. From its construction as Axel Munthe's wedding gift to Hilda, to the creative summers on the farm, the great Leksand Games and the time of change that followed the Second World War.

Life at Hildasholm  |  Leksand Games  |  Post-war period

Life at Hildasholm

Hildasholm was primarily a summer home for Hilda Munthe and her two sons, when she and Axel Munthe lived apart for most of the year. After their separation in 1919, Axel only came for sporadic visits.

The family lived most of the year in England but returned to Leksand every summer - except during the two world wars. For Hilda it was The stone farm her beloved home, where summers were filled with artistic creation.

Their sons Malcolm and Peter built early puppet theatre performances, and hundreds of puppets and scenery made by them and Hilda have been preserved. As they grew older, they were also allowed to paint the walls, doors and stoves of the house. During these years they also the gardens form.

Hilda's circle of friends consisted of several prominent cultural personalities such as Anders and Emma Zorn, Carl and Karin Larsson, Erik Axel and Gerda Karlfeldt and Ottilia Adelborg. For the local population, however, the farm remained a closed and mysterious place.

Malcolm och Peter med dockteatern på en hästkärra tillsammans med två okända herrar.

Leksand Games

In the 1930s, the Hilda Munthe and her sons large historical and religious amateur theatre performances, known as Leksand Games. The performances were held both on the farm and at the guesthouse The cowshed.

The scripts were written by the Munthe family themselves, and all suits were made by hand from simple materials such as bed linen and crepe paper. The church also got involved many leksand residents, and in some years over 100 persons in the performances.

Post-war period

As Hilda Munthe got older, she took youngest son Malcolm responsibility for the family's properties. In addition to Hildasholm, the family also owned Southside House in Wimbledon and Hellens Manor in Herefordshire.

During the Second World War, the house and gardens had fallen into disrepair, and restoration work began in the 1950s and 60s. After Hilda's death in 1967, her sons changed the name to Hildasholm in honour of his mother.

In the 1970s, Malcolm began open the farm for guided toursand in 1980 he donated the house with all its furnishings to a foundation.

In 1988, the Hildasholm a listed building, and in the 1990s a major renovation was carried out with support from Dalarna County Administrative Board, EU Structural Funds and County Labour Board.

Gunilla och Malcolm Munthe sittandes vid bordet i kurirrummet

Malcolm Munthe (1910-1995)

Malcolm was an intelligence officer, military officer and author. He took part in sabotage activities during the Second World War and was involved in the so-called Krylbosmällen in 1941. He later opened Hildasholm for guided tours and donated the estate to the Foundation.

Peter Munthe (1908-1976)

Peter was an artist and portrait painter. During the Second World War he served in the British Navy. He lived a more reclusive life and had no children.