Hempel Glass Museum was established in 1964 by the Danish industrialist J. C. Hempel (1894 – 1986), the founder of the world-famous company which is a leading supplier of ship paint products. The museum is situated on a hill with a view of the Isefjord and houses the founder's European glass collection from the period 1500-1900, one of the largest privately-owned in Scandinavia. The museum has recently been renovated to create a contemporary museum with a permanent exhibition consisting mainly of glass and annual temporary exhibitions.

Since 1988 the Hempel Glaspris prize has been awarded annually to a Danish glass artist whose work is marked by an experimental approach to glass. The 2020 prize holder is Karen Lise Krabbe. Her art work has became part of the permanent collection. For the last ten years international exhibitions have been held here in which glass is presented in the context of different artistic media. The main exhibition hall is also used for concerts and lectures.