Hjemkomst Center - The Hjemkomst

The Hjemkomst

The Hjemkomst, which means "Homecoming" in Norwegian, is a Viking Ship that is permanently housed in the center of the museum. The ship is a full-scale replica of the Gokstad Viking ship that was discovered in Norway in 1881. The idea for building the Hjemkomst was that of Robert Asp, a guidance counselor at Moorhead Junior High School.

Construction on the Hjemkomst began in 1974 at the Leslie Welter Potato Warehouse in Hawley, Minnesota. The Warehouse was then transformed into the Hawley Shipyard during the construction. That same year, Asp became diagnosed with leukemia, however he still continued to help build the ship.

In July 1980, the Hawley Shipyard was torn down for the removal and christening of the completed ship. The Hjemkomst was shipped overnight to Duluth, Minnesota on August 5, 1980. Asp held the rank as captain during the ship's maiden voyage throughout Lake Superior until his death four months later on December 27, 1980.

In May 1982, Asp's family along with members of the Hjemkomst crew decided to sail the Hjemkomst to Norway, which was Asp's original dream. The ship departed New York City on June 8, 1982 and arrived in Oslo, Norway two months later on August 9, 1982. The ship stayed in Oslo for a year until it was transported back to Minnesota on the M/V Brunto.