Knife River Heritage & Cultural Center
History worth preserving
Save Our Ship (SOS)
Once an icon of Duluth and namesake for Leif Erikson Park, the Viking ship replica LEIF ERIKSON relocated to the KRHCC after SOS accepted an invitation from the KRHCC and the Knife River Rec Council (KRRC). The selection of the KRHCC came after a long and exhaustive search to find a location in Duluth.
The ship has historical significance. In 1926 the ship sailed from Norway to North America along the route thought to have been taken by Leif Erikson in about 1100. The feat helped support the claim that Erikson discovered the Americas years before Christopher Columbus.
Having the LEIF ERIKSON on the KRHCC site strengthens Knife River’s ties to its Norwegian heritage and history of boat building.
SOS is a non-profit independent of the KRHCC and shares a lease with it from the St. Louis & Lake Counties Regional Rail Authority. To learn more about the Viking ship, go to: leiferiksonvikingship.com
North Shore Scenic Railroad
The KRHCC partners with the North Shore Scenic Railroad (NSSR), a non-profit, to offer visitors an optional, shorter trip on the way to Two Harbors. Visitors can tour the KRHCC site and enjoy 600 feet of the North Shore’s most accessible agate beach. For train schedules go to: duluthtrains.org
Knife River Rec Council
The Knife River Rec Council (KRRC) provides outdoor recreational opportunities for the Knife River area. The KRHCC partners with the KRRC in the community’s Julebyen Scandinavian celebration of Christmas, an event that attracts about 6,000 visitors annually. To learn more about Julebyen, go to: Julebyen.org
Photo: Robin Whaley
The council provides ball courts for people of all ages and access to Knife River’s most scenic areas – the agate beach and woodland hiking trails that lead to deep river gorges and a panoramic overlook of Lake Superior.
Photo: Paul von Goertz
The KRRC Julebyen Scandinavian celebration of Christmas attracts people of all ages from the Upper Midwest.
Photo: Paul von Goertz
NSSR Steam Engine #332 makes a special appearance at the 2023 “Trees. Trains. Traditions.” holiday event.
Photo: Paul von Goertz
A kiosk reminiscent of a train car shelter extends the outdoor experience.