Royal and Ancient Polar Bear Society

The Royal and Ancient Polar Bear Society is a historical society museum in Hammerfest that displays Arctic research and local artifacts. The collection includes hunting equipment, taxidermied animals, and personal belongings arranged in a single exhibition room.

The museum was founded in 1963 by two local businessmen and documents Hammerfest's role as a trading hub between southern European merchants and Arctic hunters. The collection reflects this historical connection between commerce routes and polar exploration.

The collection displays photographs, paintings, and personal belongings from Adolf Henrik Lindstrøm, a local cook who participated in polar expeditions with explorers Amundsen and Nansen. Visitors can connect with stories of hometown figures who achieved recognition in Arctic exploration.

The museum is located at Hamnegata 3 and shares its space with the tourist office, creating a convenient information point for visitors. You can purchase a membership on site that includes a certificate, identification card, sticker, and silver badge.

The Society has about 250,000 members worldwide but requires physical presence in Hammerfest for full membership status. This unusual requirement creates a distinctive link between local and distant members within a polar bear-focused community.