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Shackleton's Villa: Carpenters Race to Save Historic Arctic Refuge
1 Jan
Summary
- Carpenters are restoring Sir Ernest Shackleton's remote villa where he planned a historic rescue.
- The villa, built around 1906, was in danger of collapse and needed urgent restoration.
- The South Georgia Heritage Trust is funding the project aiming for a digital museum.
A team of Norwegian and British carpenters is working diligently to restore a remote wooden villa on South Georgia, the very place where Sir Ernest Shackleton meticulously planned the rescue of his stranded crew. The Endurance, Shackleton's ship, was crushed by Antarctic ice in 1915, forcing his men to seek refuge.
This historic villa, part of the Stromness whaling station built around 1906, had deteriorated significantly since the 1960s. Faced with imminent collapse, the South Georgia Heritage Trust initiated a restoration project, raising over £2 million. The project involves replacing foundations and rotten timber, aiming to preserve the structure and its internal features.
The restoration is scheduled for completion in February 2026. The South Georgia Heritage Trust intends to transform the villa into a digital museum, offering a unique glimpse into the manager's life and Shackleton's strategic planning during his arduous rescue mission. The project highlights the tangible link to Shackleton's incredible journey.
