Experience Norway in the US!
If you can't quite swing a trip to Norway, there are several opportunities in the US to experience Norwegian culture. The easiest way to experience and learn about Norwegian culture and the language is by taking a class in the language itself. Many, many schools across the country feature this sort of course, and obviously, Minnesota State University has an amazing Scandinavian studies program. Within the program, you can study Norwegian, Swedish, and even Icelandic. If you want more information on the program, please send an e-mail to claudia.tomany@mnsu.edu or christopher.ferguson@mnsu.edu.
If you're in the Minneapolis/St. Paul Twin Cities area, you could go to Ingebretsens for a taste of Norwegian shopping. You can buy sweaters there, food, books, anything you want.
If you're down in Decorah, Iowa, you can visit the Vesterheim museum. “Vesterheim” is Norwegian for “western home” and is the most comprehensive museum on an immigrant group in the entire United States. Founded in 1877 as part of Luther College, it eventually split off and now occupies an entire city block. If you feel inclined, you may take one of their many community education classes, such as Rosemalling, or Norwegian pottery. They even offer language and culture classes, involving everything from hands-on learning to modern films. If you feel like becoming a member, you can do so by paying an annual 35 dollar membership fee, which gets you free access to the museum, a semi-annual newsletter, and a discount in their store.
If you're not around Decorah, or even if you are, the Sons of Norway would love to have you as a member. For a small amount of money (35 dollars for normal people or half-price for students to age 23) per year, you can become a member of this old, well respected society. Founded in Minneapolis by 18 members in 1895, Sons of Norway has grown to epic proportions. But it had some very humble beginnings.
Contrary to popular stereotypes and opinions, Sons of Norway was inspired by a woman. Her name was Ingeborg Levorsdatter, and she was the first permanent Norwegian resident in Minnesota. Originally a maid for the Territorial Governor Alexander Ramsey (yes, Ramsey County was named after him), she married a wealthy farmer who suddenly died. After that, she opened her home to anybody who needed a place to rest, and one of her first tenants, Ole Draxten, had a son who became the first Supreme President of the Sons of Norway.
Since Norwegians were more realistic than their patriotic counterparts, they focused more on keeping their families alive and well instead of on making large sums of money. This sometimes presented a problem, since even though there was food on the table, there wasn't always enough to cover things like hospital bills, recovery from fires, that sort of thing. So, the sons of Norway was founded out of more necessity than brotherhood. But as the organization grew, they discovered that they were not only protected against financial catastrophe, they were also preserving their heritage. Originally, the name "Bjørnstjerne Bjørnson" was chosen, and then in a sudden reversal, unanimously rejected because they determined that most Americans would find it impossible to pronounce. Sønner av Norge was the name finally chosen, and on January 16th, 1895, the Sons of Norway was formed.
To qualify for membership, the applicant had to be male, had to show some sort of proof that he had high moral standards, he had to be able to support his family, and he had to be between the ages of 20 and 50. Today, we still see many of those same benefits, as the Sons of Norway offers such things as long-term care insurance, homeowners insurance, auto insurance, health insurance, financial planning, life insurance, 401k, ROTH IRA, and tax-sheltered savings assistance, and financial goal counseling. In addition, they offer classes that members volunteer to teach. They include things like Hardanger embroidery , Norwegian language, Rosemaling, Norwegian music, wood carving, folklore, weaving, OLE AND LENA JOKES!
If it's church you're looking for, Norway can take care of that for you too, both here and there. After World War I, there was a lot of emphasis in the US on being fully American, and many churches were changing their services to be completely English. Going against the grain, Reverend CJ Eastvold asked seven people to join him in forming a church where they would speak Norwegian so long as people could understand it. They had their first service on January Ninth, 1922. 22 people attended. After 7 years of meeting in basements and lecture halls, the cornerstone was laid in 1929, and was finished on May 4th, 1930. It was then that the official name, Den Norske Lutherske Mindekirke, was adopted.
Currently, in addition to worship, you can be involved in many different ways with this wonderful church. One of the first things that the church did was form several different women's groups. These include book circles, quilting circles, and several groups including mission work, charity, and food drives.
If you're not interested in a women's circle, or if you're a dude, then you can take part in local missionary work, which the church is well-known for. Otherwise, you can donate time working for the food shelf, or you can take classes in the language itself. One of the biggest things you can take part in is The Leiv Eriksson Festival, which features Norwegian artists displaying paintings, sculptures, movies, and especially music. During the winter, you can take part in the beautiful Christmas services, and in the springtime, you can participate in one of the largest Syttende Mai festivals in Minnesota.
If you don't live near Minneapolis, you can visit Kongsvinger in Oslo, Minnesota. Just outside of Grand Forks, it's certainly a destination, but it's certainly well worth the travel. Founded by 25 Norwegian and Swedish pioneers on November 21st, 1880, Kongsvinger has had a rocky history, but if you ask any of the members of the congregation, God has willed the church to be around today.
The first pastor wasn't even committed to just the church, he was just a travelling pastor. For 7 years, he went to various homes that the congregation met in, until land for a church and cemetery was donated by one of the original members in 1887.
The first tragedy struck on August 27th, 1931, when lightning struck the steeple and burned the church to the ground. On June 12th, 1932, less than a year later, the church was rebuilt. The next additions to the property would not take place until 2002 when 5,000 square feet would be added, giving the church a fellowship hall, kitchen, office, and new restrooms.
Until around 1935, almost everything in the church was spoken and written in Norwegian. Services were given in English, and then again in Norwegian. Finally, in 1939, the first English songbooks were purchased. English was now the official language of the church.
In its early years, the church had several different parish agreements and synod arrangements. When it was founded, it was part of the Norwegian Lutheran Church in America, the American Lutheran Church, and the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America. They shared pastors with other rural churches around Grand Forks, such as Trinity Lutheran, until 1941 when they formed a five-church parish, and then from 1959 through 1989 they shared a pastor with Bethlehem Lutheran of Alvarado, Minnesota.
The second major crisis to hit the church was in 1989, when they closed their doors due to declining membership and the fact that they had no pastor. While the doors were closed, they re-evaluated their mission, searched for a pastor, and prayed. A lot. At this point, the congregation knew that the church was meant to be, since for the first time in its entire existence the church had its own pastor, a larger and growing congregation, and a plethora of activities and clubs. Now, the church has a thriving youth group, a thriving adult congregation, and hopefully, many happy years to come.
If it's in Oslo, Minnesota, or Oslo, Norway, you will find a Norwegian place that will welcome you with open arms!