Skógasafn (Skógar Museum)
Austur-Eyjafjöllum
861 Hvolsvöllur
Iceland
Tel: (354) 487 8845. Fax: (354) 487 8858
web: www.skogasafn.is
e-mail: skogasafn@skogasafn.is

The origins of the museum

The museum was founded in 1949 on the initiative of Þórður Tómasson. He was born in 1921 at Vallnatún under the Vestur-Eyjafjöll mountains in south Iceland, where he grew up with his parents, Tómas Þórðarson and Kristín Magnúsdóttir, and siblings.
At an early age Þórður developed an interest in Icelandic culture and its conservation. He completed lower secondary studies from Reykjavík High School.
Together with his work at the museum, Þórður has published many books on aspects of Icelandic folk culture.
In 1997 Þórður’s contribution to cultural history was recognised when he was awarded an honorary doctorate of the University of Iceland.