Friends of the Viking Ship

09/06/2026

The Chicago River in the 1890's. The highly industrialized river--full of waste of all kinds--was not pleasant to experience, much less be submerged in. Thankfully our 𝘝𝘪𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 reemerged largely unscathed.

09/06/2026

September 6, 1894
After an hour's pumping, the fireboat 𝘠𝘰𝘴𝘦𝘮𝘪𝘵𝘦 raises 𝘝𝘪𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 from the bottom of the Chicago River!

09/05/2026

𝘝𝘪𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 anchored on the Chicago River (still well above the water in this painting by Karl Ouren).

09/05/2026

September 5, 1894
The people of New York learn of the sinking of the 𝘝𝘪𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨: "Crossed the Atlantic but Couldn't Survive a Chicago Storm."

09/04/2026

A major piece of history uncovered: The largest-known Viking silver treasure found in a private garden in Denmark.

Pulling up 40 pounds of silver sure beats plain old gravel.

09/04/2026

September 4, 1894
More details emerge on the sinking of 𝘝𝘪𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨. 😮💦

09/03/2026

September 3, 1894
After surviving the storms of the North Atlantic on her voyage from Norway to America, passing through the Erie Canal, across the Great Lakes, and down and back up the Mississippi River, our 𝘝𝘪𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 has been sunk in--of all places--the Chicago river. She was tethered tightly to a pier when a heavy rainstorm hit. Because someone forgot to cover her oar holes, the river water flooded into the ship and she sunk!

09/02/2026

September 2, 1965
The 𝘊𝘩𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘨𝘰 𝘛𝘳𝘪𝘣𝘶𝘯𝘦 features 𝘝𝘪𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 in one of a series of articles about historic attractions in the Chicago area. Those wishing to see her can find her "fenced and roofed near the lion's house in Lincoln Park Zoo." She resided in this unfortunate location from 1920 to 1994, where "souvenir hunters cut pieces from the ship's boards, stole oars and other parts of the ship, and left it in bad shape."

Thankfully she is safe from souvenir hunters today, but unfortunately still vulnerable to the elements. Join our cause to build her a permanent, climate-controlled home!

09/01/2026

Go behind the scenes with Chicago 𝘢 𝘤𝘢𝘱𝘦𝘭𝘭𝘢 as the ensemble prepares for its fall concert, Northern Lights, a program inspired by the music and culture of Sweden, Norway, Finland, and Denmark. The Swedish American Museum will be hosting this special group on Wednesday, Sep. 9, at 7 p.m.

Go behind the scenes with Chicago a ca****la as the ensemble prepares for its fall concert, Northern Lights. The Museum will be hosting this special group at the Museum on Wednesday, Sep. 9, at 7 p.m.

Through live performances and conversation with the singers and Artistic Director John William Trotter, discover the distinctive beauty of Nordic choral music and hear how professional musicians bring repertoire in five Nordic languages to life. Along the way, the ensemble will share how they approach language, pronunciation, vocal style, and cultural context, offering a rare glimpse into the artistry, research, and collaboration behind every performance. Whether you're a lover of Nordic culture, choral music, or simply curious about the creative process, this special event offers an intimate look at the care and craftsmanship that shape Northern Lights before it reaches the concert stage this fall.

Learn more about Chicago a ca****la at www.chicagoaca****la.org.

Program starts at 7 p.m. with an option to come at 6 p.m. for a Nordic dinner. Register on the Museum's website at swedishamericanmuseum.org/addmultipleeventform/35188