The fishing village of Å has a natural harbour, but limited access to cultivable fields, so this location like many other trading places in North Norway was built up primarily around the fishing industry. The main boathouse was built in 1844 and was used to house both local and visiting fishermen’s boats between fishing seasons. The smaller Nordland boats were hoisted up under the roof, whereas åttringene and fembøringene (the boats manned by four or five rowers, respectively) were so large that they had to remain at ground level. The old Nordland boats with oars and a sail dominated the Lofoten Sea until around 1915, when motorboats started to take over more and more.

Today, the large boathouse forms the heart of the fishing village museum, containing exhibits. The seahouse close to the large boathouse is for cod liver oil steaming. This is also part of the fishing village museum and is still in regular use to demonstrate the old use of fish liver.