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Remember our Heritage and Ancestry
Submitted by Anwend, Midwest Vinland US

This viking ship is of most importance to the community of both the Chicagoland area, and of the country as a whole. Vikings were the first to settle before Columbus, not only that but much of our Ancestry is within Germanic and Scandinavian blood. This ship is a great reminder of where most of us came from, as well as who came here before Columbus, long before Columbus in fact. Also, we have enough colleges, buildings, etc. that are EVERYWHERE around the Midwest and all of America, but this is the ONE Viking replica Longship that we have! One that you would have to travel all the way to Scandinavia to see! To me, this is of utmost importance, for an infinite number of reasons. Please make your vote for the Viking ship, and remember your Pride and Heritage in your Ancestors.

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Vanishing Western Heritage
Submitted by Seth, Georgia

In all honesty, I haven't been to Chicago in decades; I saw the treasure of King Tut's tomb back in the '60s when it was there. Certainly, I don't begrudge anyone the preservation of their ethnic heritage; but that also applies to us Westerners as well, and much that is ours is slipping away. Saving the Viking ship will be a reminder of pride and courage.

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It's about Heritage
Submitted by Stefn, California

The preservation of this ship is utmost in importance. It stands as a reminder of the bravery and deeds of our ancient Norse/Germanic ancestors. The Midwest was settled by, and built in part by members of the Germanic and Scandinavian communities. This ship is a reminder and a testament to their sense of adventure and bravery in seeking out new lands and opportunities. I sincerely hope that this ship will be restored and displayed in a prominent location so that their deeds will never be forgotten!

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Leif Landed First ! ! !
Submitted by Jojo, north suburban chicago

Hello, and thank you to all who are attempting to preserve "OUR VIKING SHIP".

As we reach this time of the year, and America is preparing to celebrate Columbus Day, it would be important for us to remind our citizens of the expression, "Leif Landed First", and therefore, in 1492 Columbus, with his expedition, was the second to land on these shores. Leif Ericsson arrived in the eleventh century, so it is quite possible that "Columbus had a Viking Map".

We do need to preserve this replica of an original Viking Ship, for it's own history of sailing from Norway to Chicago for our 1893 World's Columbian exposition, and to show that it would have been possible in an earlier era, as has been verified in New Foundland in other ways. Columbus was not the first to reach North America. Our Viking ancestors had accomplished that many years before! ! !

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Viking Ship
Submitted by Odin, West Coast

As a Chicago born transplant to the West Coast, both my Father and Grandfather talked about the Viking ship replica when they lived in Logan Square. I have had the pleasure to travel to Norway to see Gokstad and the replica in Chicago with all the history of its journey from Bergen in 1893 should be preserved for not just the Scandanavians, but all who visit Chicago to see and learn the history of the Vikings and their shipbuilding skills.
Frederic Odin Kolstad III

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Magnus Andersen
Submitted by Erik Hansen, Other US

In 1893 my ancestor, Magnus Andersen, captained this historic boat in a cross-Atlantic voyage to the World's Columbian Exposition to demonstrate the sea worthiness of Viking craft. I first saw the ship a number of years ago when it was still in the Lincoln Park Zoo. My family and I had made a special trip to see the ship our relative had built and sailed to retrace the journey of Leif Eriksen. The ship was quite run down at the time and some park official saw us looking at the ship through the steel bars surrounding it and seemed curious that anyone would have any interest in it. My father explained that we were relatives of the original captain of the ship and the official seemed embarrassed by the condition of the ship but allowed us to go inside the enclosure. It is both an impressive and historic boat and deserves to be preserved. I'm very glad to see that steps are being taken to preserve and revive the ship that Magnus Andersen piloted across the Atlantic for it is in dire need of such steps and deserves to be, for the benefit of future generations.

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Lincoln Park visits
Submitted by mary, geneva

My dad always insisted on us visiting the Viking ship when it was in Lincoln Park. It was a ritual carried out each summer. He passed away before it was moved to Geneva. He would have been proud to visit it here.

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Scandinavian
Submitted by Susan, Northern Chicagoland

I am one of the many Scandinavian transplants from the northern MN area near Fargo, ND. My ancestors are mostly Norwegian and I grew up knowing all about my Norske heritage. In Fargo we are lucky enough to have the Hjemkomst viking ship that a Minnesota man built, and his family sailed from Minnesota to Norway. It is amazing to see history close up. My husband and I are very proud of our heritage and call our home: "Valhalla" (Viking Heaven). Almost everyone in northern Minnesota is Norwegian; but here there are so many diverse cultures and we love that. We would love for more people to know about our wonderful Norwegian heritage.

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S.O.S. SAVE OUR SHIP
Submitted by carol, west chicago

My husband's family comes from the region of Vigsnes, Norway where the copper for the Statue of Liberty is from, so there is a direct connection to America. We saw the Viking Ship when it was in West Chicago, and visited the site in Geneva also. We marvel at how they could sail the seas in such ships. This Viking ship should be on the endangered species list, because we would loose a piece of living history if it is not restored.

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Captain Magnus Andersen
Submitted by Liven, Larvik,Norway

Magnus Andersen was born in my hometown Larvik in 1857,and died in Oslo in 1938. He was named "Magnus Viking" because of his famous expeditions crossing the Atlantic in "small" ships - in 1886 in the ship "Ocean", and then in the copy of Gogstad vikingship in 1893. In the local newspaper Østlandsposten there is a picture of the Viking`s arrival in Chicago for The World Fair. The intention was to celebrate Columbus "discovering" America 400 years before (in 1882). Last week the two skeletons from The Gogstadship were taken to Oslo for DNA search. Is it queen Aasa and her daughter , or the Queen and a slave? Time will show.
Regards,
Liv Hvass

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I have been waiting for this opportunity!
Submitted by Norman Arntzen, US East Coast

I was very happy to finally see some action for the preservation of the 1893 Chicago Viking Ship with the name "Viking", (not the "Raven").For many years I have urged for continued action for her preservation, and waited for a fund raising event to take place. I first saw her in 1979. I have written, researched, and promoted it ever since. I volunteered, and was chosen as the East Coast Representative of the Viking Ship Restoration Committee. Over the years I have received numerous inquiries about the status of her. Unfortunately I could not tell them much until now.

Here on the East Coast, our Sons of Norway Lodges have supported the preservation of the "Viking" with promotions about it, and fund raisers. In 1993 we had a huge centennial celebration at General Washington's Headquarters, in Newburgh, New York. The "Viking" made a special stop there in 1893. At the 1993 event we raised $2000. which was sent to the Viking Ship Restoration Committee. This event was so successful, that we celebrated the 110 anniversary there in 2003. Again we raised $2000. which was deposited for future donation to an active, viable, non-profit Viking Ship Restoration committee. I sincerely hope that now will become the time for a transfer of funds.

A Viking Ship (and Viking history) Museum in Chicago would be a huge asset to the tourist business in the area. For many Scandinavians, and newly formed groups of Viking History buffs this would be an attraction that would draw them like a magnet from all corners of the world. Newly formed groups now hold Viking Encampment events. Chicago could be the center of Viking history information in America. Luckily there are many fine photographs and articles written about this "suicide" voyage that Captain Andersen had a hard time to promote and fund. In 1893 this voyage compares with the publicity received, and risk taken by the men who landed on the moon not long ago. Captain Andersen's book tells in detail the complete history of this project from fund raising, building, sailing, and the difficulties encountered. There is ample material for a complete museum focusing on this epic event!

For a lot more information about the vessel, type "1893 Chicago Viking Ship" in the Internet search box, and "go" to the sites. I urge all to vote daily for this once in a lifetime opportunity to fund this project.

- Norman Arntzen, East Coast Representative, Viking Ship Restoration Committee.

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Viking is the worlds first viking ship replica!
Submitted by jornloset, Norway

The Viking was built 12 years after the excavation of the Gokstad ship in Vestfold, Norway in 1880. The Viking is nothing less than the world's first and oldest viking ship replica.

Thanks to the brave voyage across the Atlantic Ocean in 1893 by captain Magnus Anderson it was once and for all proven that the vikings really had vessels capable of crossing between continents a millennium earlier. It also proved that the tales about Vinland in the norse sagas could be true. This was verified when Anne Stine and Helge Ingstad discovered the norse settlement at L'Anse aux Meadows in 1960. This was where Leif Ericsson built his camp, known as "Leifsbuene" in the saga, and were the first American of European descent was born around 1000 AD.

It is remarkable that the Viking still exists. It truly deserves fundings to secure its future! Remember to vote for Viking every day!

Jørn Løset , Norway, Vikingskip.com

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My Great Grandfather Rowed to Chicago
Submitted by Procyon, Grand Marais, MN USA

Rasmus Rasmussen, my great grandfather was a crew member helping to row this ship from Bergen to Chicago. I have an original lithograph depicting the Raven and its crew in my cabin home here. It is an important part of history to remember that Norwegians were the first to pillage the Native Americans. Just because they did not leave as much impact as those to follow they should not be forgotten. Besides imagine how thrilling the trips must have been, without privacy or any real shelter on this ship. I named my sled dogs after some of the crew members: Jens, Magnus, Lars, and Bent. Please help save the Raven so we can all visit its history.

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my vote for our history
Submitted by twintiger, Wisconsen/Mississippi

I Vote for Saving The Viking!!!!!!! I am a 3rd generation Dane. My Grandfather and his brother came from Denmark around 1910. Family history says we are related to Leif Erricsen/Erric the Red. Our Family name from generations past as handed down is JENS NICOLAISEN.

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Norwegian Shipbuilding Heritage
Submitted by Ship Friend, Geneva, IL

I had been studying the history of the Vikings when I began to learn about the existence of the replica of the Gokstadt in Geneva. I believe that the craft of shipbuilding in human history had such an impact on the threads of colonization and impacted great changes in many cultures. The fact that this 'basic' yet complex technology survived crossing the Atlantic and plied its way down the Mississippi should be preserved to understand and revere its role in the advancement of human thought and technology. Glad it's still here!

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beautiful lines
Submitted by E, Chicago

My memories of visiting the ship as a child, hidden under it's dark and dreary protective roof, are of the beauty of the sweeping lines of the boards and the beauty and romance of the prow and circular shields. Amongst many worthy candidates, I'll cast a vote here not based on its proven significant historical function, but rather on it's inspirational form.

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The joy of being Norwegian
Submitted by Chris, Northwest Chicago

I've always loved the ethnic diversity that makes Chicago a world of surprises, so imagine my surprise at discovering that this marvelous Viking Ship still exists!

As a Norwegian American, I don't make waves; we think salt, pepper and cream are the only spices. We only rarely find something of historic significance like this Ship. Wow.

With a helping hand from our neighbors, we would like to preserve this ship and find a permanent home in the Chicago area.

1000 years ago the Vikings built a base camp at L'anse Aux Meadows, New Foundland and explored down the east coast of the US--but also down the St. Lawrence Seaway. While we cannot prove that they reached Chicago, we do know that they sailed inland rivers from Scandinavia all the way to Baghdad --a much longer distance than New Foundland to Chicago.

Imagine for a moment that possibility. Once we thought that Vikings in the New World was a myth. Now we know it is true. If some future son-of-Chicago driving his excavator turns up the evidence, that ship should be here.

Please help.

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Dear King Odin
Submitted by pete, northwest chicago

DEAR KING ODIN
WHO WILL TELL ODIN
WHEN ODIN COMES HOME
WHERE WILL WE HIDE
WHEN KING ODIN ARRIVES
JUST FOR A SONG
OUR SHIP IS GONE
LIGHTNING BRING THUNDER
KING ODIN SEND THOR
WHERE ARE WE VIKINGS
ARE WE NO MORE

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Growing Up with the Viking Ship
Submitted by Kenny, Kane County

As a child growing up in Chicago, I would go to the Lincoln Park Zoo, conservatory and Historical Society frequently. The Viking Ship sat alone in the park, a reminder of my Norwegian heritage and the discovery of North America by Leif Erikson. It was not well accepted at the time by the plaque on the boat and the sailing of the boat itself proved that it was feasible. The plaque said:

The Raven
Viking Landfinder
Reproduction of a 9th century viking ship

"In 1893 this ship sailed from Bergen Norway to New London Connecticut in 44 days, and arrived at Chicago for the World's Fair, July 12th of that year. by way of the Erie Canal and the Great Lakes. The crew consisted of Captain Magnus Andersen, two mates, eight sailors and a steward."

"This type of ship was used by the vikings at the time Leif Erikson discovered the mainland of America in the year 1000 A.D."

Of course, at that time, there was no proof, only saga. Now it is common knowledge that Leif Erikson discovered North America and evidence of the viking settlement has been excavated in Newfoundland.

But I guess i felt all along that was fact when I imagined the sailing of such a fragile looking but sturdy craft across the ocean. What would it have been like?

I hope my grandchildren can dream such dreams in front of the viking ship.

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My Great Grandfather Sailed the Viking
Submitted by Mark, Minnesota

I am very interested in the fate of The Viking for sentimental reasons - my great grandfather, Rasmus Rasmussen, was a sailor on The Viking, and he assisted in its construction before the infamous voyage from Bergen to Chicago in 1893. Hanging in our old family home in central Minnesota is an original lithograph from a Bergen studio depicting The Viking and portraits of all the sailors who made the voyage possible to the Columbian Exposition. My grandfather shared many stories with us about his Dad, the rogue sailor turned Lutheran minister and about the famous voyage of 1893, the year of his birth. Good luck to all who are working to preserve the legacy of The Viking and what it represents.

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Viking Ship
Submitted by Ricky, west suburbs

I learned about this ship in a popular book about the 1893 World's Fair, "The Devil and the White City." It' a perfect replica of an actual Viking ship, and it actually sailed across the Atlantic over a hundred years ago. Artifacts of Vikings found along the Great Lakes have amazed me. How did they get here, I wondered. Well, this is how--in a beautiful, fragile boat driven by the wind and by oars. It's thrilling to me to imagine the courage and skill of those sailors exploring all over the Atlantic in boats like this one a thousand years ago.

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VIKING SHIP
Submitted by Lorrie, Northern Suburbs

Growing up within the Skjold Lodge Sons of Norway, there were many times when the Viking Ship was on display at events. I believe it was this very ship that once was on display at Lincoln Park Zoo for quite a while. Despite all the cute animals that I adored and wanted to see while at the zoo, the Viking Ship was my favorite - to see it, read snippets of it's adventures and visualize it sailing on the open sea with majestic Vikings standing watch gave my imagination such a treat. I would love for this ship to be rehabilitated and preserved for all time so that now, and into the future, an interest in the history and important contribution to our world today these great Scandinavians had, will continue to draw attention!

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IT WAS TRULY SPECIAL
Submitted by Jeanette, Michigan City

I saw the Viking Ship many many times at Lincoln Park Zoo as a child. My Mother would never pass it by because of her guilt. When she lived in Chicago in the 1930's her Grandfather, who was born in Norway, lived in Muskegon Michigan and didn't have money to come to Chicago to see the Ship. He gave her money to go the Fair and see it as he took great pride in being the descendant of Vikings. Well, she was young and busy and never took the time to see it. When he died in 1939 she felt terrible that she did not honor his wishes. She was sure her children knew of the ship and valued it as a living symbol of our ancestors. Having seen Viking Ships in Oslo I know how special it is to have our very own ship in Chicagoland. Lets get it back to top shape so further generations can enjoy it .

Jeanette

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Viking Ship
Submitted by 2nd daughter, west side

When I was a little girl, the Viking ship was on display at the Lincoln Park Zoo. It was outside and was under a type of canopy. I remember seeing it when I was quite young and my Father said that I wouldn't leave the zoo without stopping there to look at it. It is one of my earliest memories.

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A Part of History
Submitted by TJMax, near NW suburbs

I have been interested in Vikings since I was a kid and began to be aware that the Vikings came from Norway home of my grandparents. I know about the Viking ship in the park for years and when I moved to Chicago the first place I went exploring was to find the VIKING. I even had an old family friend from Vermont come visit with her grandson just to see this impressive old ship. It's part of my history. It's part of Chicagoland's history. It must be saved.

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A Viking Tale
Submitted by Andrew, Wheaton

I am the research Research Historian at the Cantigny First Division Museum where we display many macro-artifacts like tanks. In the Society of Creative Anachronism, I built and camped in a Viking tent, in the 1980's. I had read about the Viking ship that crossed from Norway to Chicago, and when I toured the ship in 2006, I was so impressed that I volunteered to help with tours. This year we started a group called "Friends of the Viking Raven" with staff members from local parks and Preservation Partners of the Fox Valley to strategize how to repair, preserve and display the ship (using illustrations of the Gokstad to provide the historic context) I have also made donations through the McCormick Tribune Foundation, in hopes this treasure will be lodged in a more permanent home.

- Andrew Woods, Research Historian, Cantigny First Division Foundation

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A Pleasant Surprise
Submitted by Earl, Geneva

On the morning of April 19, 1994 I paid scant attention as I glanced at a newspaper headline that a Viking Ship was headed west with no place to go. Later, I was even less attentive when the chair of a meeting I was attending apologized for being late , because he was impeded by a Viking longboat in slow moving traffic! And , I was really taken by surprise when later in the day my son Craig suggested that the ship might be preserved and/or restored in Good Templar Park. Together we prepared a proposal that was ultimately accepted by the Scandinavian Council and the Good Templar Board of Directors. Little did we know that we were plotting a course that would extend for over a decade!

- Earl Hanson

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An Amazing Coincidence , and Impressive Accomplishment
Submitted by Pat, Geneva

I was raised in the Mohave Desert , a long way from Chicago. After I married we moved to Hyde Park, and when our children were young, I found Lincoln Park and the Zoo to be a great place to take young kids. I remember walking by a neglected shelter with a sign that said "Viking Ship." We looked over the fence and there in the shadows was an amazing old ship, covered with pigeon droppings. Then I saw another sign which said twelve men had sailed this ship from Norway to Chicago for the 1893 World's Fair. It was very difficult to believe they could have done that. Over the years I became more interested in the amazing Columbian Exposition of 1893. Later we moved to Geneva, and was surprised and pleased when the Viking ship was relocated to Good Templar Park, just a block from my house! I have been working for the past 12 years to protect and preserve this wonderful artifact.

- Pat Hanson

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Ship Tales
Submitted by Lorraine, Chicago

This one of-a-kind historic ship can tell so many stories ….. stories about ship-building and navigational skills of Vikings of old, the bravery of Captain Magnus Andersen and his crew, the amazing journey from Northern America, the extraordinary popularity of a Viking vessel at the World's Columbian Exposition. The "Viking" deserves to be preserved so future generations can hear her dramatic stories. I, and the greater Norwegian community, think it's quite sad she's had to wait so long for the proper attention and care she deserves. Let's do something now!

- Lorraine Straw, Norwegian National League

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Connecting the Generations
Submitted by Sharon, Geneva

"Mom, you have to do something about this! Look, there's no support for the keel!" With that, I knew I had to go to work. Walt, our son who specializes in the art of 19th century Scandinavian building, had given his profession opinion about the Viking Ship. Having served on the Geneva Historic Preservation Commission, I knew the importance of preserving one's built community. This Ship not only connected people with the Columbian Exposition and the history of sea-faring, but was a visible link to Geneva's history as well. In 1895, half the population of Geneva was Swedish! Our whole family had been coming to Good Templar park for 3 decades to enjoy the Swedish "Midsommer" festival which has featured the treasured Viking Ship since 1996.

- Sharon Jones

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