Hemmestad brygge

About the museum

Hemmestad by Gullesfjorden was the trading centre of Kvæfjord from the early 1800s and for about a hundred years. The fishermen delivered stockfish to the quay, and the merchant shipped it on to Bergen in jekts (sailing cargo boats) and brought back flour, sugar, coffee and groceries. Already in 1798 Gregus Jakobsen was a merchant at the place all year round. The herring fisheries of the 1860s brought new prosperity, and from 1868 there were steamship calls; a post office opened in the quay building in 1889.

Eventually the jekts became too slow and the harbour too shallow for the steamships, and the trading business went bankrupt in 1904. The place lived on as a village general store until 1954. The buildings were erected between 1770 and 1810 and still house a shop, trading and post offices, storage rooms and exhibitions.

Today the site is run by Sør-Troms Museum together with Kvæfjord kystlag (coastal association). The exhibitions deal with the history of Hemmestad, coastal culture, the work of women and the importance of herring and potatoes in the district. Outside, the old quay environment has been partly recreated.

Highlights

• Old village general store with its original character
• Exhibition on trade, coastal culture and women's history
• Lofotkister (Lofoten chests), the draug and other folk beliefs
• Kvæfjord cake and fish soup in the summer café

Permanent exhibition

• Hemmestads historie – Exhibitions in the shop and storehouse on trade, coastal culture, women's history and the importance of herring and potatoes.

Operated by

Sør-Troms Museum og Kvæfjord kystlag

Admission & discounts

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

Toilet, accessible (HC) toilet and wheelchair access. Contact the museum in advance to clarify accessibility.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

The quay lies on a headland by Gullesfjorden in Kvæfjord, about half an hour's drive from Harstad.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop

In the summer, fish soup, coffee and cake are served indoors or at the outdoor seating. Groups that want food should let the museum know in advance. There is also a shop.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit