The Andrée Expedition
On July 11, 1897, the gas balloon “Örnen” takes off from Danskön, Spitsbergen, with Salomon August Andrée, Nils Strindberg and Knut Frænkel in the gondola. Their intention is to map the northern polar region as far as possible by flying over the North Pole. A grand idea. Already on July 14, the flight is canceled due to weather conditions and the real adventure begins: surviving in the Arctic.
At Grenna Museum, this fateful expedition is illustrated in an exhibition on two floors: the preparations and the expedition. Images and animations from the landing and ice walk are displayed on large screens along with a large number of objects. The cause of death still eludes us. In a three-dimensional experience (AR application), doctor and author Bea Uusma’s theories about what happened to the group during the last days on Kvitøya, Svalbard in 1897 are reproduced.
The Andrée collection is part of Polarcenter. Jönköpings läns museum is the trustee of the Andrée Collection. The collection has been deposited with the Grenna Museum Foundation since 1944.
Our Andrée collection
We have many pictures from S A Andrée’s North Pole expedition in 1897 in our collections. Personal photos, preparations, Danes Island, Spitsbergen, the expedition, the findings and the objects. From time to time we can not figure out who is who in portraits/group photos. We are very grateful for your tips and opinions.
