Figure 1. 1893 Viking Ship inside storage at Good Templar Park, Geneva, IL. Photo courtesy of Friends of the Viking Ship.
In 1893, 12 Norwegians sailed a replica of the 9th-century Viking ship Gokstad that had been excavated, largely intact in 1880, from Norway to the World’s Columbian Exhibition in Chicago. The harrowing journey across the Atlantic proved that Vikings could have sailed to North America centuries before Christopher Columbus (ironically, whom the World’s Fair was named on its 400th anniversary of his voyage to the Americas).
The replica ship has developed a fascinating story in its own right from its construction in 1892-1893, sailing in 1893, cultural impact at the World’s Columbian Exhibition, display in Lincoln Park until 1994 and storage in Geneva’s Good Templar Park.[1]
(Did you know that another 1893 World’s Columbian Exhibition artifact is on display in the Fabyan Villa Museum!)
The 1893 Viking Ship’s next chapter began on April 7, 2025, when the Friends of the Viking Ship, its current stewards, announced the purchase of a property in Geneva’s North Historic District where they plan to build a museum that can properly display and preserve the ship.[2]
Figure 2. 1837 Louise (German) Outhouse House located at 101 Hamilton Street, Geneva, IL.
The property the Friends purchased is 101 Hamilton Street, where one of Geneva’s oldest homes is located (see figure 2). Known as the Louise (German) Outhouse House, the home is believed to have been originally constructed in 1837, though Louise did not appear to begin living there until after 1866 (see figure 3). Outhouse, by the way, was Louise’s married name—she did not live in a literal outhouse.
Louise was among the earliest Geneva-born residents and was the daughter of Lyman German, who, with the Alexander Brothers, built the blacksmith shop (also known as the Mill Race Inn) on the east bank of the Fox River that still stands.[3]
Figure 3. Louise (German) Outhouse obituary, Geneva Republican, November 14, 1930.
Immediately, concern gripped the Geneva community that the 1837 house would be demolished to make way for the Viking Ship. Such concern, however, is premature. No plans for the new museum have been released and it is entirely possible the current home could be repurposed, at least in part.
The Kane County Chronicle recently quoted Preservation Partners’ Community Engagement Director, Al Watts, who noted that “we think that there’s an opportunity to make the property purchased work for Geneva, work for the building that’s there,” Watts said, referring to the 1831 (sic) structure. “We always look at things solution-based. There’s usually a way you can find a solution that works for everybody.”[4]
In any case, the rehabilitation or possible demolition of the Outhouse House and the construction of a museum for the Viking Ship are likely years away. Plans, when they are ready, will be presented to the Historic Preservation Commission which will advise and decide what is appropriate for the North Geneva Historic District. Additional approvals through the Planning and Zoning Commission are also likely to be required, with final approval from City Council. Public awareness of these plans and public opportunity to voice opinions are part of such a process.
Figure 3. 101 Hamilton Louise German Outhouse.jpg Drobo->Advocacy->Geneva->Viking Ship. Geneva Republican, Nov. 14, 1930.
And, be assured, Preservation Partners will bring news of these developments as soon as we get them.
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[1] “History of Viking,” Friends of the Viking Ship, accessed April 29, https://vikingship.us/about/who-we-are/.
[2] Brenda Schory, “1893 Viking Ship to Make Landfall in Downtown Geneva,” Kane County Chronicle, April 8, 2025, https://www.shawlocal.com/kane-county-chronicle/2025/04/08/1893-viking-ship-to-make-landfall-in-downtown-geneva/.
[3] Adam D. Gibbons, The Founders and Early History of Geneva, Kane County, Illinois Volume 1, Beginnings to 1837 (Bradenton, FL: BookLocker.com, 2014), 345.
[4] Brenda Schory, “Geneva Museum for 1893 Viking Ship Doesn’t Mean Demolition for 1831 House,” Kane County Chronicle, April 12, 2025.