Aasiaat Museum
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2002 (current building)
Aasiaat Katersugaasiviat | |
 | |
| Established | 3 December 1978 (original building) 2002 (current building) |
|---|---|
| Location | Aasiaat, Qeqertalik, Greenland |
| Coordinates | 68°42′30.5″N 52°52′15.2″W / 68.708472°N 52.870889°W |
| Type | museum |
| Website | Official website |
The Aasiaat Museum (Greenlandic: Aasiaat Katersugaasiviat) is a museum in Aasiaat, Qeqertalik Municipality, Greenland, based in the former colonial administrator's residence. The museum's displays are based on the cultural history of Aasiaat, and a variety of special art exhibitions.[1]
The establishment of the museum started in late 1960s when there were some discussions on transforming the house of former whaling captain, the oldest building in Aasiaat, into a museum. Delays meant that this building would not be complete before 1982, so it was agreed to use politician Frederik Lynge's house instead.[2]
In April 1977, the museum committee was formed. The museum was finally opened on 3 December 1978 at location B-404, Lynge's former home, built in 1932.[3] In summer 1986, a museum curator was hired and the museum became eligible to receive funding from the Naalakkersuisut. In 1998, the museum also built a traditional sod house (B-1360) in which they hold further exhibitions.[4]
In 2002, the museum moved to its current location at B-124, former home of the colonial administrator of the area, built in 1860 and expanded in the 1920s.[1][2] Both B-404 and B-124 are listed buildings.[5]
Exhibitions
The museum has a section of permanent exhibitions, as well as temporary contemporary art exhibitions, and travelling exhibitions.[1][6] The permanent exhibitions show historical artifacts from Greenland, chronicling the lives of the Thule people and Inuit culture, containing a number of items from the Disko Island area.[7][8]
The exhibitions include: