To describe the entire evolution of Sons of Norway will not be possible within the
framework of this report. Throughout this century a lit of literature on this topic has
been published. First and foremost are the book "History of Sons of Norway"
(1944) by Carl G. O. Hansen and "An American Saga" (1970) by Sverre Norborg. The
membership paper "Viking" has Been a vital source of information after 1963.
When one still wants to consider some of the traits of evolution, it is mainly because
I like to highlight how great this association, made by our ancestors, became. I ask over
and over again: Did they expect, themselves, that their association should grow and
finally include the North American Continent as well as Norway? The answer is probably NO,
but I think at least some of them carried a vision that their ideas would spread and be
meaningful to everybody of Norwegian heritage.
It is the significance of fraternity and Lode-system which I think was introduced at
the very founding by members who had long-term and ambitious goals for the organisation.
The recruiting done though a system of Lodges is unique. It has similarities with that of
missionary organisations recruiting for spreading of Christianity throughout the World.
This system evolved during the first years of the organisation, and this strengthens my
belief that the founders of Sons of Norway were thinking ahead. and that they had the will
and ability to accomplish their aims.
In order to give the reader a summary of the historical development, I will present a
few highlights in the first hundred years of Sons of Norway:
| 1895 |
The first Sons of Norway association founded by eighteen young immigrants
in North Minneapolis. Later named the Nidaros Lodge no 1. |
| 1898 |
New independent laws and rules passed. |
| 1899 |
Oslo Lodge no 2 founded. |
| 1900 |
Dovre Lodge no 3. The Supreme Lodge established by representatives from
the three Lodges. Bersvend O. Draxten elected first President. |
| 1901 |
Second Ordinary Congress. Membership number 526. |
| 1903 |
Sons of Norway spread to North Dakota and Wisconsin. |
| 1904 |
A monthly paper is published. |
| 1906 |
South Dakota gets its first Lodge. |
| 1909 |
Permanent office in Minneapolis. Illinois gets its first Lodge. |
| 1910 |
Sons of Norway spreads to West Coast. The North American Continent is
organised in Districts. District one and two established. |
| 1912 |
Female members are welcomed. District three East Coast established. |
| 1914 |
District four, including North Dakota, Montana, and the greater part of
Canada, and District five including Wisconsin, Illinois and Michigan established. Sons of
Norway is represented at the Centenary for the Norwegian Constitution, in Norway. |
| 1918 |
Sons of Norway donates three ambulances to the US government.
Women may buy insurance. |
| 1920 |
The official crest with the Viking ship is approved.
First female delegate to the Ordinary Congress. |
| 1925 |
Centenary for Norwegian emigration.
President Calvin Coolidge addressee the members in Minneapolis. |
| 1925 |
Membership number 16 488. |
| 1927 |
Insurance to include children. |
| 1932 |
Insurance agency for Canada established. Main office moves into its own
building. |
| 1935 |
Membership number 15 199. |
| 1939 |
HM Crownprins Olav and Crownprincess Martha visit headquarter in
Minneapolis. |
| 1945 |
Membership number 27 544.
The organisation "Daughters of Norway" is approached for negotiating merging. |
| 1946 |
The collection of stamps supporting Norway’s struggle against the
Tuberculosis.
(In Norway: Tubfrim) |
| 1952 |
"Daughters of Norway" is given status within Sons of Norway.
California, Colorado, Arizona and Utah form District no six. |
| 1955 |
Membership number 35 624. |
| 1956 |
Sons of Norway arranges summerschool. |
| 1959 |
Sons of Norway arranges exchange of agricultural students. |
| 1962 |
The organisation moves into new headquarter in Minneapolis. A language
training centre teaching Norwegian to 300 students. |
| 1963 |
The first summer school teaching Norwegian language is established.
The membership paper "Viking" is published for the first time. |
| 1964 |
A film about the discovery of North America - "Viking Heritage"
is made by the initiative of Sons of Norway.
President Lyndon B. Johnsen proclaims October 9th to be Leiv Ericsson’s
Day. |
| 1966 |
Sons of Norway’s Foundation is established with the aim of
collecting money through wills, donations and other contributions to scholar-ships and
student-exchange.
Canada forms District no seven. |
| 1967 |
Membership number 45 879. |
| 1970 |
Sons of Norway celebrates its 75-years Anniversary with 50 000 members in
160 different Lodges and a fortune of 75 million dollars. |
| 1980 |
103000 members in 340 different Lodges. |
| 1982 |
Norway is designated District no eight.
A Main District Office is opened in Kristiansand. |
| 1984 |
HM King Olav’s Heritage Fund and Astrid G. Cates Fund for exchange
of students are opened. |
| 1989 |
The Stone Monument of The first President, Bersvend O. Draxten is
unveiled in Dragsten, Norway. |
| 1992 |
The International Congress in session in Trondheim and Lillehammer,
Norway, for the first time outside North America. |
| 1994 |
The number of members has reached 75 000 in 403 Lodges in the USA, Canada
and Norway. Its fortune is close to 160 million Dollars. The insurance sales amount to750
million US$ of around 5.1 billion NKr. Total funds for scholarships and culture are over
7 million US$. |
| 1995 |
January 16th. The organisation is celebrating its centenary, one hundred
years after being founded with many immigrants coming from the same area, namely Selbu. |
