Mid July we decided to head for the Icelandic town in our area. We've enjoyed visiting before, but only recently learned of a heritage museum they have there! So, that's where we went!
We enjoyed walking in the town a bit. There was an art thing going on at the time and we saw a few artists painting the docks and boats.
The museum had so many things to see! We learned that things were rather difficult for the Icelandic people who came here in the 1800s. Their boat went off course and was allowed to drift to this area. They called it 'New Iceland' and settled. So many of the people and families died. There was one family with 13 children. 5 of them died in Iceland due to the earthquakes, smoke and ash there. They came over to Canada in desperation, and then 5 of their kids died of smallpox in the first year here. Smallpox claimed the lives of many of the people here.
The museum had a little dress up area near the end and the kids enjoyed trying on some Viking costumes.
Their was a bit of info on volcanic rock, trolls, Icelandic religion and beliefs, and some history on Iceland and why many of the people left.
In all, it was a really fun day trip! The kids enjoyed it, we all learned something new (it was interesting to see some of the parallels to our own heritage as well), and I would definitely go again. It never seems to be enough time to go to things like this where there is quite a drive.
Such a fun weekend!
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