On 1 September Geir O. Kløver can look back on 20 exciting years as Director of the Fram Museum.
Some of the many highlights in this period have been:
- The development of new exhibitions and total upgrade of the Fram Building in 2011, including insulation of the building and installation of thermal heating, public restrooms, café and elevator.
- The building of the Gjøa Building and restoration of Gjøa in 2012-17.
- The upgrade and installation of new attractions inside and around the Polarship Fram in 2018.
- The new 4D North Pole Flight simulator installed in 2025 in connection with the 100th anniversary of Amundsen’s Polar Flight in N25.
- The increase of visitors from 218.000 in 2005 to 410.000 in 2024.
- The publication of 68 books on Norwegian and international polar history in 79 volumes and 8 languages.
- 29 different temporary exhibitions shown in 30 countries on 4 continents, many in cooperation with the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
- Several museum awards and being ranked as the best museum in Norway on Tripadvisor the last 10 years.
- The good relationship with our many customers and the descendants of the Norwegian explorers.
- And not least, operating an innovative and financially sound museum day to day without government grants and corporate sponsors.
All of this would not have been possible without the dedicated staff and board members of the Fram Museum:
Staff: Edwin Pasco (until 2021), Anne Rief (until 2015), Charlotte W. Syversen (until 2016), Elina Vaytmaa (from 2008), Marcus Thomassen (from 2009), Erling Kjærnes (from 2010 to 2012), Rolf Dieter Cron (from 2014 to 2016), Pete Pasco (from 2016 to 2019), Storm Halvorsen (from 2016), Jan Olav Røang (from 2016 to 2022), John Engedal (from 2016), Dodie Nicolas (from 2019), Annette Nyborg (from 2020) and Eivind Lorentzen (from 2022).
The Fram Committee: Ralph Høibakk (until 2020), Olav Orheim (until 2024), Karin Bruzelius (until 2024), Odd Rogne (until 2013), Kjell Harberg (until 2020), Marit Greve (until 2011), Rune Teisrud (until 2022), Øystein Trøseid, Susan Barr (until 2025), Johan Fredrik Odfjell (until 2022), Randi Gaustad (until 2012), Anne Greve (from 2011 to 2024), Inge K. Hansen (from 2013 to 2020), Christine Charlotte Akselsen (from 2017), Alexander Wisting (from 2018 to 2022), Jarle Roth (from 2021), Ole-Arve Misund (from 2022), Karl Christian Agerup (from 2024), and Camilla Brekke (from 2024).
The financial contributors making the Gjøa Building happen was: The Bergesen Foundation, The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Det Norske Veritas, Kværner and Solfjell.
Although successful, our biggest challenge lies in the future, with the many issues facing the Polar Regions. We are currently working on the funding and content of a brand new science center next to our other buildings dealing with these issues. With massive support from Sparebankstiftelsen DNB, Det Norske Veritas, Jotun and the Eivind Astrup Foundation, we have half the money needed for the project. To make this extremely important initiative happening, we still need more funding from the Norwegian Government, business, foundations and individuals. If this sound great, please contact us for a talk.
(The ‘before’ photos are from June 2006).
