Welcome to the Jacob A. Riis Museum

US President Roosevelt called him New York’s most useful citizen – in Denmark he is almost unknown

The Jacob A. Riis Museum shows the fascinating story of the Ribe boy who emigrated to America in 1870. About the man who, through his hard-hitting articles and photos from New York’s raw and rough slums, opened the eyes of the bourgeoisie. And about his falling in love with Elisabeth, which thanks to his stubbornness he eventually got.

The story of Jacob A. Riis is the story of almost perishing in New York’s worst neighborhoods and the story of how hard work, determination to create a better society and belief in himself turned the Ribe boy into what the president called “the ideal American”.

Read more about the poignant exhibition

Winning photo on display

The winner of the Jacob A. Riis Photography Award 2022 has been chosen.

New exhibition shows ten of the best pictures from the competition.

Touching photographs

Buy your ticket online

Tickets may be bought in advance. We also offer group tickets and tickets for five museums in five days. Tickets can also be purchased in the museum shop.

Tickets and prices

Two museums, one ticket

The Jacob A. Riis Museum building also houses the HEX! Museum of Witch Hunt, which tells the grim story of the ‘witch fear’ that led to the infamous witch trials and their dreadful consequences. We have made a combined ticket for admission to both HEX! and the Jacob A. Riis Museum.

Buy tickets for both museums here

Plan your visit at Jacob A. Riis Museum

Look forward to visiting the Jacob A. Riis Museum with the exciting story of one of the most significant Danes of all time.

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Guided experiences

Our skilled guides are happy to take you on a trip through the history of Jacob A. Riis. There are several options and we are also happy to put together a special program for you.

Read more and book a guide

Go exploring in our museum shop

In our cozy shop you will find applied art with a historical twist, books, posters, hand-dipped candles, mineral soaps and countless fun little things.

Read more

”Mine skriverier gjorde ikke noget stort indtryk – det gør den slags sjældent, når det kun udtrykkes med ord – men mine negativer, frisk fra mørkekammeret, forstærkede dem.”

Oplev en stribe af Jacob A. Riis fotos her og kom på besøg og se resten