Geneva’s Viking ship to make landfall in downtown
The Friends of the Viking Ship bought a property in downtown Geneva so the organization could build a museum to house the longship.
Michael Olesen, a director for the nonprofit Friends and chairman of the Geneva Chamber of Commerce board, announced the purchase during Monday’s city council meeting.
Olesen said the longship was constructed in 1892 and sailed across the Atlantic Ocean in 1893 for the World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago.
“Since 1996, that artifact has been here in Geneva,” Olesen said. “There’s been many attempts to try and give the ship a permanent indoor home, and it’s never been successful — until last week.”
The Friends of the Viking Ship bought the lot at the northwest corner of Hamilton and First streets on April 1, Olesen said, paying $350,000 for the land.
He said the ship currently is at Good Templar Park inside a Quonset hut.
Through the years, the group has raised funds through events, donations and tours of the ship, he said.
“Our charter says we are charged with preserving the ship, so there has been the desire for a permanent indoor home,” Olesen said.
After the Columbian Exposition, the ship was at the Field Museum in Chicago. In 1920, it was moved to Lincoln Park in Chicago, according to the Friends and the Geneva History Museum.
In 1994, the Viking was relocated to West Chicago for storage before being moved again in 1996 to Good Templar Park in Geneva.
The Viking ship is an exact copy of the Gokstad, built about 850 C.E. at the height of the Viking Age. The Gokstad was found in a burial mound near Sandefjord, Norway, in 1880 during an excavation, according to the Museum of the Viking Age website, vikingtidsmuseet.
The property the Friends bought encompasses 101, 106, 109 and 113 Hamilton Street, according to township property records.
A two-story house built in 1831 is on the property, which would have to be razed to make way for the planned museum building.
Olesen said the Friends have spoken to the Historic Preservation Commission about the house, which is in the Historic District.
“Given the fact that we are trying to preserve the ship, we hope they will see the merits to it,” Olesen said. “It’s an old building that is in pretty bad shape.”
The Friends group will seek to raise a minimum of $5 million but wants $10 million so there is enough money to maintain the building and its exhibits, he said.
“As an organization, we are very happy, very pleased to finally, after 130 years, to get this beautiful lady a home,” Olesen said.
The first Viking Ship tour of the season is set for 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, April 19, at Good Templar Park, 528 East Side Drive. Tickets are $7 for adults, $4 for children 13-17 and free for children 12 and younger.
For details, visit vikingship.us.