Visit a Viking ship at Geneva park
The second of seven monthly visitors' days for a replica Viking ship will be held from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, May 17, at Good Templar Park, 528 East Side Drive in Geneva.
A viewing platform allows visitors to see inside the ship, called the Viking, built in 1893.
The Viking is about 78 feet long, 17 feet wide, and 6.5 feet high from the bottom of the keel to the gunwale. Its planks are fastened together with thousands of iron rivets.
At sea, the Viking averaged 10 knots and the hull was observed to flex with the waves.
It is an exact copy of the Viking ship Gokstad, built about 850, and was sailed across the Atlantic Ocean from Bergen, Norway, to Chicago for the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition.
Guided tours begin every 30 minutes. The last guided tour is at 3:30 p.m. Self-guided viewing is also available.
Visitor-day admission is $5 for adults and $3 for teens. Parking is free.
Guided group tours are available by appointment. Two week lead time is required. Cost is $5 for adults and $3 for children age 6 and above. The minimum fee is $25. Call (630) 753-9412 or email viking1893@gmail.com.
Visitor days are scheduled on the third Saturday of April, May, July, August, and September. An October date will be announced.
On June 15, during the Good Templar Park's Swedish Day Festival, visitor hours will be 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Park admission is $5 for adults and teens. Ship tour admission is $3 for adults and teens. Children are admitted free.
The ship also will be open to visitors on June 21 and 22, during Geneva's Swedish Days. Visitor hours will be noon to 4 p.m. Admission is $5 for adults and $3 for teens. Children are free. Parking is free.
For more information, call (630) 753-9412 or email viking1893@Gmail.com.