Save Our Ship Inc

“Merchandise sales 2,971 resale purchases -288 festival fees -520 total 2,163”

“Expenses insurance 954 website 565 dues & fees 223 storage rental 990 total 2,732”

“Market gains - investments 2,463 book / tax depreciation difference -1,164”

“Restoration process duluthian bert enger, of enger and olson furniture company, along with his partner marie olson, purchased the ship from captain folgero and crew soon after the voyage, and he donated the leif erikson to the city of duluth. The ship was placed on display in duluths lake park, which was later re- named leif erikson park around 1929. There the leif erikson steadily deteriorated after years of neglect and vandalism. The state of the ship reached a low point in 1980, prompting a former duluth city councilor to suggest that the leif erikson be burned in the traditional viking manner of putting a ship to rest. This suggestion inspired marie olsons grandson, will borg, to contact his boyhood friend, neill atkins, who was also serving on the city council at that time to help form a restoration committee. Neill and will brought together a diverse collection of volunteer workers to begin fundraising efforts to restore the ship to its original condition. Fundraising activities began in 1985. Since that year, the restoration project has raised over 100,000 through a number of ways. For over 10 years, dedicated volunteers have solicited donations from corporations and individuals, sold souvenirs, food and beer at public events concessions and organized 10 annual viking ship festivals. The viking fests were a one-day event featuring scandinavian food, arts, crafts, and entertainment to help raise funds, the last of which was held in 1996. Boat builders began the actual rebuilding of the ship in 1991. Most of the restoration has been completed, and the ship was moved to the eastern end of the park in 2000. A protective covering of shrink-wrap was placed on the ship now until a roof structure can be raised to protect the ship from the elements and vandals. In june 2021, the duluth city council unanimously voted to officially transfer ownership of the wooden ship to save our ship, with the organization pledging to find a suitable permanent home for the replica vessel. The leif erikson replica viking ship has been moved from duluth to a new home at the knife river heritage and cultural center, 180 marina road, knife river, mn.”