The White Falcon - 22.10.1993, Blaðsíða 9

Traditional sod house gives look into Iceland’s past
Story and photos by
J03 (SW) Andreas Walter
In a country where groves of trees the
height of humans are known as forests and
fields are blanketed by volcanic rock forma-
tions instead of grass, the thought of how
early Icelandic inhabitants built a house can
be puzzling.
Now, a recently reconstructed sod farm-

Helga demonstrates combing of natural wool.
touse in the town of Njardvik offers clues
to the past and an interesting variety of
storical facts for visitors.
Located within a mile of the main gate, and
clearly visible from the highway to Reykj avfk,
the tiny dwelling is open on Sundays from 2
to 5 p.m., weather permitting.
The sod house, also referred to as the
Museum of Njardvik, took three months to
rebuild during the summer of 1993. Accord-
ing to Helga Oskarsdottir, curator of the
museum, the fifteen workmen were able to
use many of the original stones, after un-
earthing them from the grassy field covering
the ruins.
“The original sod house at this site was
built in 1856. The family used the traditional
style of a rock foundation, cut and stacked
sod walls, and a wood beam roof covered
with sod,” Helga recounted.
The original family, including their
seven children, lived at the site for
nearly 30 years. In 1917, the ruins of
the original structure were found and
the house was rebuilt, probably using
the same rocks, as any additional
building materi-
als were scarce.
Photos on the
walls identify
some of the in-
habitants over
the years.
“It is interest-
ing to note that
there are some 400
people in Njardvik and
neighboring Keflavik
today related to the origi-
nal family that lived
here,” she said. This
close-knit atmosphere The foundation and fence were built from readily available rock.
was common all around Iceland, where a
combination of severe weather and very short
seasons kept people confined to farms. The
opportunities to leave were not available and
people were generally comfortable with what
they had. Even as the population expanded
and more areas of Iceland became inhabited,
emerging towns remained small.
Helga thinks of the Njardvik sod house as
an excellent way for people to leam about
Icelandic culture from over a century ago.
The house can be opened for special occa-
sions or group visits during the week. Once
off base, follow the main road, turn left at the
Shell station and then immediately right at
the stop sign. A gravel road leads to the front
of the building. For special weekday tours, or
to leam more about the museum, call Helga
at (9)13361.
A.T. Mahan students show true colors during spirit week
By Helga Burns
*
The halls of the A.T. Mahan
High School were alive with
fashions that harked back to
another era last week. Imitation
hippies strode through the halls,
participating in what is known as
“Spirit Week.”
During the week-long event,
students dressed up as “oppo-
sites”, gangsters and costumes
that featured class colors.
Elon Jenkins said, “I liked
Gangster Day best because it let
me act out my fantasy as a wise
guy-”
The purpose of Spirit Week is
get the kids to support the
iooI’s volleyball and soccer
Teams. It’s a way of highlighting
Helene Federici, Elon Jenkins and Brendon Gmyrick display some
of their '60s-era fashions worn during Hippie Day last week.
interest in the school’s sports
program and enhancing morale,”
said Amber Atkinson, Student
Counsel Sponsor at A.T. Mahan.
Spirit Week included the popu-
lar Homecoming get together,
when students show as much
support as possible for their
school’s football team. Well, at
A.T. Mahan, it’s the soccer team,
since the school does not have a
football team.
On the day of the pep rally, it
was hard not to feel the excite-
ment and anticipation that the
students and faculty felt The
classes performed their chants to
earn as many points as possible
towards the Spirit Stick. The
noise resulted in a tie between the
seniors and sophomores. After
repeating their chants once more,
the sophomores walked away
with the much coveted Spirit
Stick.
Rounding off the fashion dis-
plays, camaraderie and general
high spirits of the week, was the
Homecoming Dance at the Three
Flags Club.
October 22,1993
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