While we stayed at the Governors RV park, we were able to get out and explore the city of Moorhead, Minnesota. In addition to the Red River Zoo, we got to visit the Hjemkomst Center. Mom looked around for museums we could get into on our limited budget and found that this one had reciprocal benefits through ASTC. This meant that thanks to The Boy’s Young Eagles Flight, we could get in free!
The museum and interpretive center are centered on Hjemkomst, a functioning replica of a real Viking ship. Robert Asp built Hjemkomst starting in 1974. Named “Homecoming,” he dreamed of sailing it from Minnesota back to Oslo, Norway, where his ancestors came from.
Sadly, Mr. Asp didn’t live to see Hjemkomst make its journey across the Atlantic. However, 3 of his children and a crew of 9 others did sail this magnificent craft to Oslo in 1982. After much fanfare and touring, the ship was eventually returned to its birthplace and the Hjemkomst Center was erected around it.
Hopperstad Stave Church
The other permanent exhibit is the Hopperstad Stave Church, a replica of a Norwegian stave-built church from the early Christian era.
Pictures and words alone can’t describe the beauty of the hand-carved details, or the craftsmanship of the intricate construction. The museum even rents out the church for weddings, and they had one the day we toured it.
The site also hosts other touring exhibits that I’m sure you’ll find interesting and thought-provoking. When we were there, there was a gallery of modern art by Native American artists. The artwork depicts and debunks Native American stereotypes, and was very enlightening. There were also exhibits on stories of local black history, history in color, and the transformation the area underwent from its original ecosystem to modern times. Either way, be sure to add this museum to your “must-see” list if you’re passing through the area!