FRIENDS OF THE VIKING SHIP

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.