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The history behindTHE SHIPYARDThe old yard was founded around 1885 by the shipbuilder Mads Illum (1826-1911) brother to Hans Illum who built larger ships at Soelyst on the beach og Skrillinge, south of the city (1850-1875). From 1907 to 1997, the yard was owned by various shipbuilders, continuing the local shipbuilding tradition, foremost the so called "smack dory" used for fishing and porpoise hunting (until 1894) During the twentieth century, other vessels were built. Especially cutters for the west coast of jutland. Avoiding a threatening close down in 1998, the old yard was saved by the society of "Lillebaeltvaerftet" The society was founded in december 1997 by Middelfart Museum, Fredericia Museum and "The Little Belt Smack Guild." With the purpose to take over and run the old shipyard as a working museum, after the former owner Mogens Hansen. The buildings, mainly erected in wood, are dated back to world war I, and are declared extremely worthy. The soil is owned by the municipal city and the buildiongs are owned by the society. The shipyard is a decisive part of the environment around the old harbour, founded in 1835 and extended in the 1860'ties. In the summer the shipyard will be open for visitors on sundays from june 11. until september 10.
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