Thomas Angells Stiftelser

Thomas Angells Stiftelser is a Norwegian charitable foundation (stiftelse) established on 1 January 1767 through the will of Thomas Angell. The original bequest was approximately 300,000 riksdaler, a sum equivalent to about NOK 1.2 billion in modern value. Angell's testament laid out precise rules for how the returns on the endowment should be distributed, and those rules continue to guide the foundation's activities today. The foundation's purpose, as stated in its articles, is to rent apartments to seniors over the age of 60 and to foster a socially stimulating and secure living environment. Its primary residential property is Thomas Angells hus in central Trondheim, which contains a total of 73 rental apartments for the elderly. The building at Bispegata 2-4 was completed in 1772 and originally housed 16 elderly women "of standing"; it was significantly expanded in 1904. The foundation's offices are located in this building, where portraits of Thomas Angell and his relatives are displayed. Beyond its urban property, the foundation owns forest and mountain estates totaling approximately 400,000 decares (about 400 square kilometers) in the municipalities of Selbu and Tydal. Before 2018 this was the largest estate in Sør-Trøndelag. The foundation manages forestry on these lands and offers hunting, fishing, cabin rentals, and cabin plots. Its portfolio, spanning over 250 years, has shaped the city of Trondheim and given Selbu a rich forestry culture. The foundation also maintains a tradition of direct charitable giving. Thomas Angell's will specified that one-sixth of the returns should be distributed directly to the poor. This "Thomas Angells gave" was traditionally distributed annually on his death day, 19 September, in Nidaros Cathedral. The tradition continues today through an annual memorial ceremony held at Thomas Angell's sarcophagus in the cathedral crypt. Thomas Angells Stiftelser is an independent foundation, not a listed company. It is governed by a board of directors (forstandere), a position held by various individuals over the centuries. The foundation's dual role—providing senior housing in Trondheim and managing substantial forest estates—makes it a distinctive institution in Norwegian charitable and property history.

Thomas Angells Stiftelser was established on 1 January 1767, following the death of Thomas Angell. His estate was valued at approximately 300,000 riksdaler, a fortune equivalent to about NOK 1.2 billion today. His will contained detailed instructions on how the returns from the endowment were to be allocated, specifying that two-thirds should go to the construction and operation of housing for the elderly, one-sixth to direct alms for the poor, and the remainder to other charitable causes such as the Waisenhuset (orphanage) and the construction of Trondheim Cathedral School. The first building erected by the foundation was a residence for "poor but respectable women outside the burgher class." Completed in 1770, it was named Thomas Angells stuer and originally accommodated 16 people. The building is still in use today as office and assembly premises. Its entrance is adorned with the family coat of arms, which features two fish hooks. According to the will, two-thirds of the returns were to fund the construction and operation of an elderly home called Thomas Angells hus. The building at Bispegata 2-4 was completed in 1772 and initially provided housing for 16 elderly women "of standing." It was significantly expanded in 1904. The foundation's offices are located in this building, where portraits of Thomas Angell and his relatives can be seen. A significant portion of the returns also went to the operation of Waisenhuset, and the new building of Trondheim Cathedral School from the 1770s was financed by funds from the foundation. The will further stipulated that one-sixth of the returns be distributed directly to the poor. This "Thomas Angells gave" was distributed annually on his death day, 19 September, in Nidaros Cathedral. The tradition continues today with an annual memorial ceremony at Thomas Angell's sarcophagus in the cathedral crypt. Over the centuries, the foundation has been led by a series of forstandere (chairmen/administrators). Notable among them include Morten Simonsen Hoff (1767–1773), Andreas Peter Klingenberg (1773–1790), Carsten Volquartz Klingenberg (1790–?), Lorentz Angell (1830–1865), Henrik Hornemann (1865–?), Johannes Midelfart (1889–1908), Hans Peter Werner Hall (1908–?), Ørnulf Lindboe (1934–?), Asbjørn Austvik (1980–1996), Jarle Malvik (1996–2008), and Inge Noreide (2008–present). Today, the foundation consists of Thomas Angells hus in central Trondheim with a total of 73 rental apartments for the elderly. In addition, it owns a forest and mountain estate of approximately 400,000 decares in the municipalities of Selbu and Tydal, which before 2018 was the largest estate in Sør-Trøndelag. The foundation manages forestry on these lands and offers hunting, fishing, cabin rentals, and cabin plots. Its portfolio spans over 250 years and has shaped the city of Trondheim and given Selbu a rich forestry culture.

• 2018

  Forest estate in Selbu and Tydal ceases to be the largest in Sør-Trøndelag.

• 1904

  Thomas Angells hus significantly expanded.

• 1772

  Thomas Angells hus at Bispegata 2-4 completed, housing 16 elderly women of standing.

• 1770

  Thomas Angells stuer completed, providing housing for 16 poor but respectable women.

• 1767

  Foundation established on 1 January through the will of Thomas Angell.

A historic charitable foundation providing senior housing and managing forest estates, with a legacy of direct charitable giving.

• Senior apartments

  73 rental apartments for seniors over 60 in central Trondheim.

• Forestry management

  Management of approximately 400,000 decares of forest and mountain land in Selbu and Tydal.

• Hunting and fishing

  Leases for hunting and fishing on the foundation's estates.

• Cabin rentals

  Short-term and fixed-term rental of cabins and huts.

• Cabin plots

  Cabin plots available for development by agreement.

1. 1Thomas Angells Stiftelser official websitethomasangell.no
2. 2Thomas Angells Stiftelser - Wikipedia (Norwegian)no.wikipedia.org
3. 3Wikidata entry for Thomas Angells Stiftelserwikidata.org