The Women's History Museum was founded on January 1, 1975 by three women, Anna Sigurðardóttir, Elsa Mia Einarsdóttir and Svanlauga Baldursdóttir. It was founded in Anna's home, on the fourth floor of a block of flats at Hjarðarhagi 26 in Reykjavík, and she worked there as the director of the Women's History Museum for 20 years. Therefore, it is 50 years since the museum was founded at the moment. The 50th anniversary of the Women's History Museum will be celebrated throughout 2025, which is also the 50th anniversary of the Women's Year 1975 and Women's Day.

The founding documents of the Women's History Museum are now on display in the museum.