Museum Vestsjælland has received a generous grant of 2 million from A/S Dampskibsselskabet Orient's Fond for the project "Vestsjælland and the World Ocean".
The project focuses on West Zealand's maritime cultural heritage and role in Danish maritime history from the 1700th century to the present day. The aim is to strengthen local identity, connect young people with maritime history and develop a dissemination model with national potential.
Based on research and archival work, a mobile exhibition is being created at The coaster SAMKA from Marstal Maritime Museum. It visits Skælskør, Korsør, Nykøbing S., Holbæk and Kalundborg and finally a sixth port. Below deck, themes such as shipping companies and trade routes, the development of the port and the port of the future are presented, while on deck, local stories adapted to each city are conveyed.
The exhibitions are developed in collaboration with business school students, who are given maritime history as a learning and teaching platform, while professionals ensure high professional and exhibition quality. The project combines local roots, youth engagement and professional communication – and creates new knowledge and relevance about West Zealand's maritime industry in a global perspective.
Museum director Eskil Vagn Olsen says "We are very grateful for the foundation's support for the important task of "rediscovering" and communicating our maritime history - not just in the museums but also in the port cities of West Zealand - right where history has unfolded"
Museum Vestsjælland is now in the process of raising the remaining funds for the project. The museum expects to launch the floating exhibition itself in 2028.
The coaster SAMKA from Marstal Maritime Museum
