Technical Museum
of East Iceland Hafnargötu 44, IS 710 Seyðisfirði, Iceland
sími: 472-1696 tekmus@tekmus.is


Opening hours:                                                    Summer (1.June - 15.September)                    workdays 11:00 -17:00              Winter (16.September - 31.May)                     mon - fri 13:00 - 16:00                   Or by agreement.          

Prices:
Adults (age 18-67)              600.-
Groups (10+) pr./per.        400.-              Children (age 0-18)             free
Senior citizens (age 67+)     400.- Invalids                                 free                   ICOM members                    free                     

The Technical Museum of East Iceland was established in 1984. The museum´s main focus is on the influx of modern times around 1880 to 1950. Technical innovations in areas such as mechanics, electricity, communications, telephony, commerce and architecture are interlaced with changes in lifestyle and milieu. Exhibitions are animate and seek to recreate the athmosphere of the times they portray. The museum is also an open air recreation area, outstanding for taking walks and enjoying each others company. We support a family-friendly policy and work progressively on producing informative settings as well as constructive and worthwhile entertainment for guests of all ages. In addition the museum serves as a research center and teaching facility for all levels of education. Staff members also carry out independent research projects relating to the museum´s area of interest.

 

Among the historical buildings conserved and maintained by the museum is Johann Hansson´s mechanical workshop. Founded in 1907, it is now the oldest of its kind in the country. It soon became a thriving business and in 1918 the original building was enlarged and a metal-foundry was added and used for producing fishing equipment and machine-parts. In 1967 the company went on to become one of Iceland´s leading shipbuilders and produced steel ships until it was closed in 1993.

 

The Cupola furnace that was constructed in 1918.
The Old Telegraph Station, also called Wathne´s House was built in 1894 as a private home for Norwegian entrépreneur Otto Wathne. In conjunction with the laying of the first submarine telegraph cable between Iceland and the continent in 1906 it became the first telgraph station in this country. The first cross-country telephone line was carried by 14,000 telephone poles from Seydisfjordur to the capitol, Reykjavík. The opening of the landline 29. september 1906 marks the birthdate of Icelandic telecom. In 1973 the Government donated the house to the town of Seydisfjordur to shelter a museum. The museum now has exhibitions on the upper floor.
The first telegraph in the country can still be seen in use in The Old Telegraph Station in Seydisfjordur.