Árbók Hins íslenzka fornleifafélags - 01.01.1989, Page 79

NORSKA HÚSIÐ í STYKKISHÓLMI
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maður Snæfellsnes- og Hnappadalssýslu annaðist fjárreiður. Ofninn í
bláustofu gaf Magnús Röed óðalsbóndi á Versmund í Noregi fyrir
milligöngu Hákons Christie arkitekts og veggfóður var gert eftir leifum
úr Norska húsinu af K.B.E. Restaurering í Osló.
Teikningar allar eru eftir höfund og flestar ljósmyndir nema sem hér
segir: 3. mynd er eftir Sigfús Eymundsson, 8.-9. mynd er eftir Skarp-
héðin Haraldsson, 21. mynd er eftir Þór Magnússon, Leifur Þorsteins-
son tók 52. mynd og' 2., 5.-7., 50. og 56. eru eftir ókunna menn.
Gerður Jensdóttir bleksetti frumteikningar sem unnar eru með blýanti.
SUMMARY
THE NORWEGIAN HOUSE
The above article is about the so-called Norwegian House which Árni Thorlacius tran-
sported on his own ship as hewn-down material from Bergen, Norway, in 1828. Árni
was the first Icelander of later centuries to sail on an occan-going vessel. He lived in the
house until his death on April 29 1891.
The Norwegian House is a two-storeyd house, built of logs, with a steep roof, and
measures 15.40 X 9.50 m. In the time of Árni dwelling rooms and bedrooms were up-
stairs while downstairs there were a kitchen, food storages and a shop. The attic had a
storage. In its time it was the only two-storeyd house in Iceland, and counted among the
largest, it was well fitted out and of a splendid interior look.
After the death of Árni Thorlacius the Norwegian House underwent with time drastic
changes and gradually deteriorated. Therefore the district commission of Snæfells- og
Hnappadalssýsla decided in 1970 to purchase the house, to turn it into a regional museum
and to refurbish it. In agreement with the National Antiquáry it was decided that Hörður
Ágústsson should superwise the work. The restoration activity went on in two stages.
The exterior was mended during the years 1971-1974, but the interior in 1978-1986.
The principle was followed in the restoration of the house to go back to the original
look closely as possible, to show how was a 19th century rich man’s home. This applies
especially to the upper storey and the attic. Downstairs it was decided to have a janitor’s
flat, en exhibition room and a storage. It has not yet been possible to place in the Nor-
wegian House suitable furniture, but it is intended to be done during coming years.