The county magistrate, Johann Skaptason, was the most enthusiastic person in building a house to accommodate the different museums operating in the county.  On April 18^th 1964 he took the initiative and called a meeting with representatives of the different museums and the town council of Husavik.  The meeting decided to build a house, preparations were started, funds were raised, designs were made etc.  Construction work started in June 1967 and continued during the following years according to available funds.  On May 24^th 1980 the Museum House was officially opened.  Work on the interior continued until 1988.  The construction of the next building started in 1990.  It is an annex, connecting the old and the new.  In the future it shall feature boats and seafaring memorabilia.  A considerable portion of he capital used for the building process has been donated by individuals and different societies within the county.  The Museum House is a freehold institution under the supervision of the district council of the Thingeyjarsyslur Districts.

The Museum House is open the whole year round, but daily from June 1^st to August 31^st.

The Folk Museum (1^st and 3^rd floor).  This museum is located in two places, in the Museum House and in the old sod and turf farm at Grenjadarstadur, approximately 30 km south of Husavik.  The museum there is open during the summer months.  Through the years, items which illuminate the daily life and occupation of the region’s inhabitants, have been collected.

The District Archives (3^rd floor).  A collection, started in 1958, of different items, which contribute to the history of the region, regarding individuals, societies, unions, communities, county council affairs and various companies at different times.  The archives are used by professionals, historians as well as laymen.

The Collection of Photographs (3^rd floor).  This collection is kept with the archives in a fire-proof location.  Approximately 22.000 photographs and dry-plates (glass negatives) are now in store, mostly of individuals, but also of buildings and activities of people from the early 19 hundreds to this date.

The Collection of Paintings (3^rd floor).  This collection started in 1978 with the main emphasis on the works of painters of the region or those who had special ties to it.  Lately the collection has turned more general.  The pieces owned by the museum now count about 330 (2002).  When no private or collective exhibitions require the space, the pieces of the museum are hanging on the walls.

The Natural History Collection (1^st floor).  This museum was founded in 1966.  Items are constantly being collected, but the price of “preparing” exhibition pieces controls how fast this collection can be renewed and improved.  This is an exhibition museum and its main function is to draw attention to items of the Icelandic natural history, especially the Northeast.  The best known item is undoubtedly the polar bear caught off the Grimsey Island in 1969.

The Maritime Museum.  Construction of the annex for the maritime museum started in 1990.  The new connecting building provides additional space for the folk museum.  This annex was officially opened in the spring of 2002.

The County Library is located on the 2^nd floor and its management is totally separated from the rest of the activities of the Museum House.  It was originally founded by ambitious farmers in 1889 and became a county institution in 1905.

The Museum House also organizes lectures, meetings, concerts and exhibitions as well as housing the publication of the Year-Book of the Thingeyjarsyslur Districts, brochures and postcards.

The Coffee Corner (1^st floor).  During summer, the tourists who visit the museum can sit down and enjoy free coffee in the Coffee Corner, relax, write their postcards and chat.

Open:
Summer 1st June - 31st August daily
10:00-18:00
Winter:  1st September - 31st May
Mon - Fri. 09:00-17:00
Sun. 16:00-18:00