Westfjords
An interesting place to travel to and visit
The beginning of Egill Ólafsson’s collection
Egill Ólafsson was born at Hnjótur and lived there all his life. He began at an early age to collect objects from the past and eventually established at Hnjótur one of the country’s most noteworthy museums. It comprises many objects found nowhere else and attests clearly to the foresight with which Egill was endowed. Acting aggressively, he succeeded in rescuing great cultural treasures which otherwise would have been lost forever.
Outlook on life
In the museum are objects which belonged to Jón Thorbergs, who lost a leg at an early age and would not change places with anyone. The course of Jón’s life provides a good insight into life as it was lived by the common people at the beginning of the 20th century..
The museum’s position today
The museum is owned and operated jointly by Vesturbyggð and Tálknafjarðarhreppur. It has unlimited potential to grow and prosper but needs increased working capital to do so. There is reason to hope it will expand and strengthen in the near future.
A youth’s interest in collecting begets a major museum
From small beginnings come great things may be said of the lifelong endeavours of the farmer at Hnjótur and his wife, Ragnheiður Magnúsdóttir, but between them, they developed this important museum. For that, the nation owes them its gratitude.
Opening hours
The museum is open every day from 10:00 to 18:00. The museum is open only in summer from 1 June to 15 September.
The museum may be opened on request at other hours by contacting the museum director, telephone 456 1569 and 456 1514.
Enquiries can also be e-mailed to museum@hnjotur.is. museum@hnjotur.is
Schedule of events 2008
June 2008
At the end of June, ethnologist Margrét Gunnlaugsdóttir will sew sails in the museum at Hnjótur. This is an ideal opportunity to have a look at how sail sewing is done, but there are many objects related to such sewing in the museum.
July 2008
July 13 is the Icelandic museum day, and admission to the museum is free.
August 2008
On 10 August, historian Heiðrún Konráðsdóttir will discuss Flatey’s trade history.
August–September 2008
At the end of August, the summer’s harvest will be celebrated with a programme which will be announced closer to the date.
The Egill Ólafsson Museum at Hnjótur , Örlygshöfn, Phone: 4561511, e-mail: museum@hnjotur.is, Webdesing: Emstrur