Odense extended to the area south of the river. Glove production, which had begun in the 18th century, developed into one of the most important industries while the harbour facilities were further expanded. In 1853 Denmark's first modern water and gas works were opened in Odense. Commerce was further boosted by the building of a railway across Funen in 1865, and Odense became one of Denmark's largest rail junctions. All this provided an ideal basis for industrialisation, attracting a wide range of industries including iron and metals, textiles, and food and beverages. Separate areas of the city were devoted to increased
Odense City Museums new museums opened (and closed), got renamed and moved around. Starting in 1997, "Odense City Museums" has been run as one museum with the formerly independent museums around the city as departments. Odense City Museums Odense City Museums () is a department in "City and Culture administration" (), which again is a department in Odense municipality administration. It runs and administers all museums in Odense municipality. The first Museum in Odense opened in 1860 under the name "Nordisk Museum" located in Odense Palace. During 1885 it moved to a newly erected building, a few hundred meters from "Odense Palace" –