Héðinsminni
Héðinsminni is a community center located in the former Akrahreppur district in Blönduhlíð, Skagafjörður. The building was constructed in 1921 using funds donated by Símon Skarphéðinsson, a farmer at Djúpadalur, in memory of his son, Skarphéðinn, who drowned in the Héraðsvötn river. This is the origin of the name Héðinsminni ("Héðinn’s Memorial"), though it was originally called Héðinshöll ("Héðinn’s Hall").
Héðinsminni History
The building Héðinshöll, which is the oldest part of Héðinsminni, was built in memory of Skarphéðinn Símonarson, who drowned in Héraðsvötn on November 15, 1914. Skarphéðinn and his father Símon were farmers in Litladal. Símon established a memorial fund for his son, and those funds were used to construct the building. Akrahúsið or Þinghúsið Héðinshöll—commonly referred to at the time as "Akrahúsið" or "Þinghúsið" (the Assembly House)—was inaugurated in 1921. This section now serves as the main hall of Héðinsminni.
The building has been extended three times: in 1961, 1990, and 1992. The 1961 extension was funded by the Akrahreppur municipality, the local youth association, and the women's association. Schooling began in the Assembly House in 1932 and continued until 1954, at which point teaching returned to private homes because the building was deemed unsuitable for schooling, primarily due to the cold. Following years of debate regarding a future school building, the decision was made to extend the house and use it as both a school and a community center.
The extension was completed in 1961, after which the building became known as HéðinsminniThat same autumn, schooling resumed in the building after a seven-year hiatus under the name Akraskóli.The peak number of students taking exams was 65 in 1966. By the 1998-99 school year, the number had dropped to 21 and continued to decline. The school was closed in 2006, and today students attend preschool and primary school in Varmahlíð.
Sveitarfélagið Skagafjörður hefur gert fimm ára rekstrarsamningur (2023-2027) við ahsig ehf.
Location
Héðinsminni is located approximately 8 km from Varmahlíð on the way to Akureyri. Take the turn-off toward Stóru-Akrar (approx. 500 m). There is good access to the building and parking space for large coaches.
Rental of Héðinsminni
Capacity: The hall seats 80 people, or up to 120 people for a seated banquet. Facilities: Two stages, a book corner, and a piano.Equipment: Sound system with a microphone, projector, and screen. Lecterns are available in two sizes.
Kitchen: Standard refrigerator, stovetop, drip coffee maker, 6-shelf commercial oven, and industrial dishwasher. Tableware is available for 100 people. Note: There is no grill/BBQ.
Áskaffi offers catering services for groups.
Contact Information
Rental Prices
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Weekend Rental: 75,000 ISK (From Friday 12:00 to Sunday 12:00).
- Meeting Rental (Full Day): 55,000 ISK. Includes: Hall setup according to the renter's wishes, kitchen access, brewed coffee, and cleaning.
- Short-term Rental (4 hours): 25,000 ISK. Includes: Kitchen use and cleaning.
- Tablecloth Rental: 3,500 ISK per piece (laundry included).
