40 Years Later, Leif Erickson Viking Ship To Become Housed Exhibit In Knife River

16 minutes ago Dan Hanger ,

KNIFE RIVER, Minn. — The day has finally arrived — 40 years in the making. The Leif Erickson Viking Ship is fully restored, has a permanent home and will soon be fully protected from the weather with a roof and public exhibit.

“One-of-a-kind ship. This is an antique that’s been restored,” said Neill Atkins, chair of the Leif Erickson Restoration Project.

The city of Duluth purchased the ship back in the late 1920s to preserve its rich history.

But mayor after mayor, council after council let the wooden ship rot away until citizens stepped up in 1985 and created the the non-profit SOS or Save Our Ship. And after four decades, they’ve successfully done just that in Knife River.

The ship has gone under renovations by Save Our Ship after raising hundr