The team

Exhibitions and events

The Reykjanesbær Museum has exhibitions in three locations:

The Harbor House of Duus Museum, Stekkjarkot and Innri-Njarðvík.

Upcoming

Upcoming exhibitions and events will be posted here

Current

A Life on the Ocean Wave

In the collection of the Reykjanesbær Heritage Museum are about 140 models of ships and boats, the vast majority made by skipper Grímur Karlsson.

At the age of around 50 Grímur started to make his ship models, and he garnered a vast store of knowledge about the history of the Icelandic fisheries. Grímur was a prolific model-maker, who made over 400 models which are in the possession of various organisations and individuals. Grímur was awarded the Icelandic Order of the Falcon in 2009 in recognition for his modelmaking. He also received the Reykjanesbær Culture Prize in that year, and in 2002 he was awarded the Seamen‘s Day Medal. Grímur died in 2017.

Trash or Treasure

What do pens, plastic bags, film programmes, party napkins and lighters have in common?

These are all small objects that have been made with a particular use in mind. When they have served their purpose, they usually end up in the trash. However, some people do collect these objects, aiming to have as many as possible. On display are small items that the Reykjanesbær Heritage Museum has received, either as private collections or along with other personal possessions.

One common factor of these objects is that in past years they were produced in huge quantities, while today such merchandise is less frequently seen. Many display company or product logos and were given away for free or were sold cheap. They offer an opportunity to walk down memory lane and reflect upon how graphics and logos have changed through time. The oldest objects date to the late 1920s but the most recent are from the last few years or decades.

Countenance - The inhabitants of the town through time

At the Harbour House photographs that have arrived at the museum in a frame are on display. The oldest photograph is about 140 years old and the youngest from the turn of the century.

Photographs that are selected to be framed and displayed usually have a special value in the eyes of the owner. They often show loved ones who are far away, or who are in a pivotal moment in their lives. Fondness, pride, and longing are among the emotions that are expressed in this way.

On and off Base - Life at the Naval Air Station Keflavík

The Reykjanesbær Museum and the National Museum of Iceland collect stories about the defense force at Miðnesheiði and its impact on the lives and work of Icelanders. The goal is to collect narratives about people's personal experiences.

Four questionnaires have been prepared. Three are in Icelandic and deal with the work at the base, cultural influence, and military opposition. The fourth is in English and is intended for soldiers and their families who stayed in Iceland.

Those who are interested can participate in the project by answering one or more questionnaires online. All are encouraged to participate, as the presence of the army had an impact in many places. The questionnaires can be accessed through the cultural database Sarpur.

https://sarpur.is/Spurningaskrar.aspx?View=small

To Sew a Fine Seam

Sewing clothes was one of the tasks of women in years past, and sewing was a valued craft. The advent of the sewing machine caused a revolution and it was said that a sewing machine could save one maid. Some women became known for their sewing skills and the sewing machine enabled them to earn an income.

Reykjanesbær's community museum preserves over 60 sewing machines, including a sewing machine that was produced in the years 1860-1870. It is probably one of the oldest sewing machines in the country.

The exhibition is in the Bryggjuhús of Duus museum houses.

Past

Guided tour of the Harbour House for families

Reykjanesbær Heritage Museum welcomes families and others interested to join in a guided tour of the Harbor House at Duus Musuem Hub.

The Harbor House is over a hundred years old and holds various mysteries and strange stories. Sebastían Arnarson will lead families and other visitors through the house and discuss lost wells, beached ships, Lego houses and clever cats.

The tour is in Icelandic. Admission is free, all are welcome.

Stekkjarkot

Stekkjarkot is a reconstructed turf house, typical of the many cottages that characterized the area in the 19th century. The inhabitants of Stekkjarkot had to rely only on fishing for a living as farming was forbidden on the rented land. Stekkjarkot was inhabited in 1857-1887 and then again in 1917-1923. The current building was built in 1993 on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the town of Njarðvík.

Stekkjarkot will be open during the annual Museum Weekend. Admission is free, all are welcome.

Museum Weekend at Suðurnes

Museum Weekend in Suðurnes is held annually, filled with fun events and events all over the Reykjanes peninsula. Museum Weekend is a joint project of museums, centers and exhibitions in Suðurnes. The weekend program is varied and fun for the whole family.

The event calendarcan be found at www.safnahelgi.is

History Walks

The last history walk this summer will be around Keflavík.

Participation is free of charge. The tour will be in Icelandic.

Rise up, thou symbol of young Iceland!

This year Iceland celebrates the 80th anniversary of the foundation of the modern republic on 17 June 1944. A new constitution took effect, and the momentous event was celebrated at Þingvellir, Iceland‘s ancient parliamentary site. The festivities attracted huge crowds, estimated at 25 to 30 thousand (about one-fifth of the population).

Reykjanesbær Heritage Museum has in its collection the flag flown over the festivities in 1944. It is quite large, over 23 m2, and will be on display in Duus Museum Hub this summer.

History Walks

The fourth history walk this summer will be around Ásbrú. This time round the event will be a drive as Ásbrú extends over a large area. Tour guide is Kristján Jóhannsson.

Participation is limited to 75 people and is free of charge. The tour will be in Icelandic.

History Walks

History walk around Ytri Njarðvík will take place on Tuesday, 30 July at 8 PM. The tour will leave from the church in Ytri Njarðvík.

Participation is free of charge and all are welcome. The tour will be in Icelandic.

Listening to the sea

"When I come out at night, I always notice where the sounds are coming from and what they are like. That's the main thing, but next to that is the sea level and the appearance of the sea." Foreman Bjarni from the town Hafnir.

The exhibition deals with the close relationship between the fishermen of the rowboat era and the waters around the Reykjanes peninsula. The exhibition is intended to give a small insight into the world that was, sometimes gentle and easy, but perhaps more often turbulent and requiring regular human sacrifices. The exhibition includes, among other things, a full-size two-person boat built according to the detailed drawings from 1772.

Information on past events and exhibitions is forthcoming