<p><strong>The history of <span id="urn:local-text-annotation-qjclg0mhtgv8w3apdem7edhyckwzidjp" class="textannotation disambiguated wl-place">Ísafjörður</span> is inevitably linked to the fishing industry, which is well represented at the Westfjords Heritage Museum (<span id="urn:local-text-annotation-qjclg0mhtgv8w3apdem7edhyckwzidjp" class="textannotation disambiguated wl-place">Ísafjörður</span> Maritime Museum).</strong></p>
<p>A beautifully restored 1784 salt fish warehouse houses the museum in a location called Neðstikaupstaður or Neðsti for short. Before it used to be a trading site for fish and other goods, as it was close to the harbour. Various other buildings are located on the same spot, which gives the impression of walking into a tiny historical village.</p>
<h2>Permanent Exhibits</h2>
<p>Permanent exhibits trace the development of the town and its fishing industry with displays of various nautical equipment. As a result, most of the museum collection consists of diverse historical things related to the fisheries and the fishing industry around the <span id="urn:local-text-annotation-8pdc88x65k885issfdvsyq5p7x0dqxrq" class="textannotation disambiguated wl-place">Westfjords</span>. The museums&#8217;s focus on preserving old boats using old methods has given new life to fifteen different boats which the museum oversees.  The Westfjords Heritage Museum also owns a large collection of  accordions, 140 in fact. (Although only a few of them are on display at any given time.)</p>
<h2>Recreation of daily life</h2>
<p>During the summer time, a local youth theatre group recreates daily life in the beginning of the 19th century. Dressed in the Icelandic national costume, the young people sing, dance and read poems to visitors. <sup id="cite_ref-2" class="reference"></sup>At the adjacent museum restaurant, visitors can see the traditional ‘sun-drying’ method for drying cod.</p>
<h2>Opening hours of the Westfjords Heritage Museum</h2>
<p><em>1st May &#8211; 31st August:</em> Daily 10 am &#8211; 17 (5 pm)</p>
<p><em>1st September &#8211; 15th September:</em> 11 am &#8211; 15 (3pm)</p>
<p><em>Rest of the year:</em> Upon request</p>
<h2>Where is the Westfjords Heritage Museum?</h2>
<p>It is located close to the harbour in Isafjordur in a beautiful black wooden house.</p>


Westfjords Heritage Museum

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Westfjords Heritage Museum

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