In connection with the celebration of the 100th anniversary of the conquest of the South Pole, His Majesty King Harald of Norway today laid the cornerstone of the new Gjøa Building, which will be part of the Fram Museum at Bygdøy in Oslo. The Gjøa was the first vessel to sail through the North West Passage and has played a key role in Norwegian polar history. The Bergesen Foundation and DNV are contributing NOK 25 million and NOK 10 million respectively towards the financing of the building. With the financing in place, the Gjøa can now be safeguarded for the future.
The NOK 25 million contribution to the Gjøa Building is the largest the Bergesen Foundation, the main sponsor, has ever made.
“The Foundation wanted to take part in the extension of the Fram Museum to honour and preserve this important part of our history,” says member of the board Morten Sig. Bergesen.
The Gjøa was classified by DNV. By sponsoring the Gjøa Building, DNV wants to help preserve Norway’s traditions as a maritime nation and a pioneer in polar research. “DNV is a global company with deep roots in the Norwegian shipping and petroleum industries. It’s a pleasure to be able to help support the further development of the Fram Museum at Bygdøy as a maritime culture centre in Norway,” says DNV’s CEO Henrik O. Madsen.
Together with the Fram, the Gjøa represents some of the proudest moments in Norway’s maritime and polar history. The Fram Museum is one of the most visited museums in Norway and its visitor count is increasing every year.