North Pole Expedition Museum
Private museum in Longyearbyen about the expeditions towards the North Pole around 1900, especially those with airships, over two floors with films, photographs and objects.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The museum opened on 15 November 2008 under the name Luftskipsmuseet på Spitsbergen (Airship Museum on Spitsbergen). It started in a former pigsty in Longyearbyen, and from July 2012 it has been housed in a newly built building closer to the centre, behind the UNIS building by the fjord. The museum is run independently and is one of the few private museums in Norway.
The exhibition tells of the pioneers' attempts to reach the North Pole around the turn of the previous century. The themes include, among others, Nansen's Fram expedition 1893–1896, Andrée's balloon expedition with “Ørnen”, the Duke of the Abruzzi's expedition in 1899, the claims made by Cook and Peary in 1906–1907, Wellman's airship “America”, the Amundsen–Ellsworth–Nobile flight with “Norge” in 1926, and the “Italia” expedition in 1928 with the rescue operations that followed.
On the two floors are shown original film material, photographs, telegrams, newspapers, stamps, models of ships and aircraft, and other objects. The texts are written by international historians and descendants of expedition members, and the museum presents nine nations that took part in the race to the Pole.
Highlights
- The expeditions with the airships “Norge” and “Italia”
- Andrée's balloon expedition in 1897
- Original film material, telegrams and newspapers
- Models of ships and aircraft
- Lounge with fireplace and museum shop
Permanent exhibition
- Ekspedisjonene mot Nordpolen – Exhibition over two floors on polar expeditions from Nansen and Andrée to “Norge” and “Italia”, with film, photographs, telegrams and models.
- Founded
- 2008
- Operated by
- Uavhengig museum (North Pole Expedition Museum)
Admission & discounts
| Adults | NOK 150 |
|---|---|
| Children & teens | NOK 75Children over 12 pay NOK 75. |
| Groups | –Group bookings are made by e-mail. |
The adult price applies from age 18. All major credit cards are accepted.
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Kids & families
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Getting there & parking
The museum is centrally located in Longyearbyen, just behind the UNIS building by the fjord.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Café
- Museum shop
In the museum's lounge, coffee and other hot and cold drinks are served by the fireplace. The shop sells polar products, books, maps, clothing and local souvenirs.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Good to know | Groups book by e-mail. |
|---|
