Møstings Hus was built in 1800, and bears the name of the most well-known owner, Johan Sigismund Møsting (1759-1843).
The identity of the architect is not known, but it is surmised to have been one of the many bright pupils of the leading architect of the time, C.F. Harsdorff. Møstings Hus dates from the era when Frederiksberg was the preferred summer residence of well-to-do citizens and eminent officials. Here Møsting and his wife had permanent summer quarters from the summer of 1816 until Møsting’s death in 1843. Møsting held a prominent post as Danish Minister of Finance and Chancellor of the Exchequer in the Danish government under Frederik Vl, becoming a member of the Privy Council from 1814.
Over the years the house has had a number of owners and has slowly altered appearance. The town transformed altogether around the former country home, and the changing conditions were out of kilter with the old building. 1918 saw the appearance of a new law on the preservation of buildings. In this context Møstings Hus was class-A listed, which would subsequently take on crucial importance for the fate of the building.
In connection with realignment of the street line in Smallegade, the Municipality of Frederiksberg asked for permission to tear down the house. The Municipality funded a complete survey of the house and preserved the most essential architectural components for reconstruction. Demolition was completed in 1965, and in 1976 the house was re-erected at the current address on the opposite side of Smallegade near the former village pond.
With the magnificent spot currently occupied by Møstings Hus, it is hard to imagine a better site, and is used by many people as a cultural oasis in the middle of the city.
