On the east side of Vega, not far from the ferry, Vegstein handelssted is an old trading post with roots going back to around 1600. In 1833, the farmer Ulrik Eliasen received his merchant’s licence and opened a shop down by the sea. He later got an innkeeper’s licence too. By 1875, 23 people lived in the household with seven crofter places under Vegstein. The farm and trading post have stayed in the same family ever since.
Today Vega Kystlag, the local coastal heritage association, runs two old wharves as a museum and exhibition of coastal culture. On the ground floor, the old shop stands much as it was on its last day of operation, with goods from the 1950s and 60s still on the shelves. Upstairs, the exhibition shows fishing equipment and everyday items collected from across the municipality. Next to the wharves is Storbåtnaustet, a large boathouse from the early 1900s, probably the last of its kind on Vega, housing old boat motors that are still in working order.
The museum is open daily from 11:00 to 16:00, roughly from late June to mid-August. There is a summer café serving coffee and waffles, and a guest marina with electricity, water, and sanitary facilities.
Today Vega Kystlag, the local coastal heritage association, runs two old wharves as a museum and exhibition of coastal culture. On the ground floor, the old shop stands much as it was on its last day of operation, with goods from the 1950s and 60s still on the shelves. Upstairs, the exhibition shows fishing equipment and everyday items collected from across the municipality. Next to the wharves is Storbåtnaustet, a large boathouse from the early 1900s, probably the last of its kind on Vega, housing old boat motors that are still in working order.
The museum is open daily from 11:00 to 16:00, roughly from late June to mid-August. There is a summer café serving coffee and waffles, and a guest marina with electricity, water, and sanitary facilities.