Byggðasafn Árnesinga

Local heritage museum of Árnessýsla at Eyrarbakki, with exhibitions in the House, an old merchant's residence, the Maritime Museum and Kirkjubær.

Opening hoursAdmission ISK 1,800

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About the museum

Ideas for a local heritage museum for Árnessýsla first emerged in 1942, and in 1952 the regional committee appointed a special committee to lead the project. Collecting of objects began in 1953, and the museum opened on 5 July 1964 at Tryggvagata 23 in Selfoss.

On 3 August 1995 the museum moved to Eyrarbakki and began operating in the House (Húsið), an old merchant's residence. The state bought the house after an agreement in autumn 1992, and the National Museum of Iceland oversaw its restoration in 1993–1996. For two centuries the house was the home of merchants and one of the country's main cultural centres, at a time when Eyrarbakki was the main trading place in the South of Iceland.

The museum has since brought more buildings into use: the Maritime Museum (Sjóminjasafnið, since 2001), the Egg Shed (Eggjaskúrinn, 2004), the Bait Shed (Beitningaskúrinn, 2013) and Kirkjubær (2016), as well as Þuríðarbúð and the creamery at Baugsstaðir (Rjómabúið). The museum is owned by the municipalities of Árnessýsla, and its exhibitions cover trade, seafaring and everyday life in the region.

Highlights

The House at Eyrarbakki, an old merchant's residence
Maritime Museum at Túngata 59
Kirkjubær with an exhibition on everyday life from 1920 to 1940
Egg Shed with an exhibition on bird hunting and egg collecting
Þuríðarbúð, a traditional turf house

Permanent exhibitions

Húsið á Eyrarbakka – The main exhibition building of the museum, a restored merchant's residence where culture and trade in Eyrarbakki are presented.
Sjóminjasafnið – Museum on seafaring and boatbuilding in Eyrarbakki, in a house at Túngata 59.
Kirkjubær – A restored house with an exhibition on everyday life and social change in the region from 1920 to 1940.

Founded: 1964
Operated by: Sveitarfélög í Árnessýslu