In 1913, it was proposed a specific building to houseViking Age finds that were discovered at the end of the 19th and the beginning of the 20th century. The Gokstad and Oseberg ships had been stored in temporary shelters at the University of Oslo.  The hall for the Oseberg ship was built with funding from the Parliament of Norway, and the ship was moved from the University shelters in 1926.

The halls for the ships from Gokstad and Tune were completed in 1932. Building of the last hall was delayed, partly due to WW II, and this hall was completed in 1957. It houses most of the other finds, mostly from Oseberg.

The museum displays the Viking Age Oseberg ship, Gokstad ship and Tune ship, alongside sledges, beds, a (horse) cart, wood carving, tent components, buckets and other grave goods.