It is noted for its distinct rococo style and is possibly the best preserved wooden building from 18th-century Europe.

The name is most likely derived from Dam Tønneson, who in 1654 inherited the farm from his father Tønnes Klausson, who in turn received it from Frederick II of Denmark due to his service during the Northern Seven Years' War.

Shortly after Gyldenkrantz died, the property was sold to Herman Didrich Janson, one of the wealthiest men of his time.

The Janson family maintained ownership of the estate until 1983, when it was taken over by Vestlandske kunstindustrimuseum, which embarked on a 10-year restoration effort, in collaboration with the Directorate for Cultural Heritage in Norway.

The facade of the main building exaggerates the dimensions of the house itself, and two windows are painted on to create symmetry.

Botanists from the University of Bergen helped decide which vegetables and flowers would be grown to make them as much like the original gardens as possible.