Akureyri Museum, Northeast Region, Iceland

5Mary H 5:00 PM May 7, 2020

Nice dive into Akureyri History
This is a small museum which had a collection of historic photos they were asking for help in identifying. Liked the community, interaction aspect. The downstairs exhibit provides really nice information about how people in Akureyri lived, how the town and its industries developed. Neat photographs really provide good historical perspectives, and it's complimented by integrated artifacts in a nicely done exhibition. Doesn't take much time and gives a glimpse of historical development in Iceland.

4Maggie_NHam 5:00 PM Aug 20, 2021

Interesting museum about Old Akureyri, shame about the constant looped music
It's located in the Old Town, so it's a pleasant, sauntering half-hour walk from the centre, Town Hall Square. Look out along the way for plaques identifying several buildings of interest, such as the college, first Danish merchant's house, original shoreline, etc. The museum covers Old Akureyri. The lower ground floor covers artefacts from the turn of the 20th century and a lot of interesting photographs from about 1880s. And a turf house entrance from the Main Street about 1900. All very interesting. There's some info in English. I would like to have seen a lot more like this about the origins of the Old Town and subsequent developments, like how the first KEA changed from barter exchange, and how the shops became department stores. The ground floor covers musical instruments and a 1950s band setup. It did seem to take up an inordinate amount of space. I understand the importance of music (and drama) to Akureyri. But I really didn't understand the logic of this part of the museum. It would have made more sense if there was more information on the national and local choirs here, and more about the origins of the drama society. These are only briefly mentioned on the lower ground floor. The problem I had in not wanting to linger in the museum is the music playing on a loop being too loud for a small space, on the ground floor which is clearly heard downstairs too, somewhat irritatingly, and distractingly when trying to read and understand the information on the plaques about Old Akureyri. I was tempted to award a 3. The museum garden grounds has some enactment things for the kids to dress up in. At times, there's a photographer in the grounds illustrating the taking of photos on old glass plates. Admission adult 1600 isk, 900 senior.