Vikingsholm Preservation and Restoration
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© Jarell C. Jackman, Ph.D. |
Vikingsholm, located on the shores of Lake Tahoe at the head of Emerald Bay State Park, is considered one of the finest examples of Scandinavian architecture in the United States. This magnificent “castle,” situated among towering pines and cedars, is known worldwide as one of the most scenic attractions in the Lake Tahoe Area.
Mrs. Lora Knight of Santa Barbara built Vikingsholm in 1929 as a summer home where she entertained family and friends. She had been impressed by the Nordic design of the home of Swedish-born architect Lennart Palme and commissioned him to create a home that would celebrate this heritage. Palme resolved that it should stand as a historically faithful adaptation of a medieval chieftain’s castle circa 1200 – 1400 A.D. Outstanding features of the home include massive hand-hewn timbers, granite stonewalls, a sod roof, exquisite woodcarvings and crown chimneys adorning the rooftop.
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Helen Henry Smith |
Placed on both the California State and National Registers as a historical landmark, Vikingsholm is in serious disrepair. To help stop the deterioration of Vikingsholm, CSPF, with the leadership of dedicated volunteer Helen Henry Smith, organized a Vikingsholm Project Advisory Council. Mrs. Smith’s interest in Vikingsholm started as a child when she spent 14 summers there. She has also spent the last 30 years as a tour guide and historian for State Parks.
In 2000 CSPF spearheaded a $2 million fund-raising campaign to restore Vikingsholm and create an endowment for its ongoing care. Close to 80 percent of the money has been raised to date. During 2002 and 2003 a restoration crew restored seriously deteriorated sections of the home such as the sod roof and courtyard. In 2004 the enormous task of re-mortaring the stonework was completed which will prevent moisture from seeping into the interior of the home. Tasks that still need to be completed include:
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Replacement of the shake roof with a split log roof on the west side of the building. The deteriorated shakes were removed in the summer of 2000. Since that time the roof has had a temporary plastic cover. Logs for the roof have been cut but not split.
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Comprehensive evaluation of the Vikingsholm electrical system by a certified electrical contractor. A majority of the wiring in Vikingsholm is very old. The restoration crew recently repaired a few isolated areas in the house where hot wires and sparks from fixtures had been discovered.
Within the State Park System, historic buildings have typically been under-funded and this situation has been exacerbated by severe budget trimming in the last decade. This effort to restore and preserve Vikingsholm will ensure that the more than 40,000 visitors who come to Vikingsholm each year will continue to enjoy one of our country’s most historic and architecturally significant buildings. | 
