The history behind
THE SHIPYARD
The 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 of 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 national heritage. The soil is owned
by the municipality of Middelfart while the buildings 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.
During the
summer the shipyard is open for visitors on sundays from june 11.
until september 1 (opening hours 10:00 - 16:00).
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