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FRIENDS OF THE VIKING SHIP

Cause Area

  • Arts & Culture
  • Community

Location

PO BOX 3571SAINT CHARLES, IL 60174 United States

Organization Information

Mission Statement

The purpose of Friends of the Viking Ship, NFP (FOVS) is: to facilitate the preservation of the 1893 Viking Ship as an important artifact from the Columbian Exposition, and to advocate its public display in a permanent museum setting with adequate security and climate control. To accomplish this goal, FOVS will raise funds for its protection and preservation, and for interpretation of its history. FOVS will also seek appropriate partners who share our mission of securing an optimal long-term home.

Description

FOVS was formed in 2008 as an advocacy organization, pursuing our mission by creating an interpretation program for the ship with regular public open days and public presentations about its story, physically caring for and maintaining the ship to the highest standards, and raising funds for a permanent climate controlled museum space. Our successes in these tasks resulted in transfer of trustee ownership of the vessel from the Chicago Park District to FOVS in 2012. Since then, nearly 25,000 visitors have toured the ship, including school groups, seniors, foreign dignitaries, historical researchers and the general public. Physical stabilization of the ship has been completed, and its head and tail carvings and ship's tender boat have been professionally restored. A building space for a permanent museum has been identified and obtained. The ship has become a treasured part of the Fox Valley cultural community. Our funds management needs have therefore expanded.

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