Summer 2010 - Norwegian-American Historical Association

The Norwegian-AmericanHistorical AssociationNorthfield, MinnesotaNEW LE ENUMBER 138SUMMER 2010In 1925, when a passionate and energetic group ofNorwegian Americans decided to form a national centerto preserve the history of their ancestors and allimmigrants from Norway to the United States ofAmerica, they envisioned an organization dedicated toscholarship, accuracy, and liveliness. The organizationthey were determined to create was one that wouldbecome a hub of knowledge for people all around thecountry - and the world - who wanted to know the storiesof this group that has so enriched the history of theUnited States. With these lofty goals, the Norwegian­American Historical Association was formed.Eighty-five years later, it is exciting to see howthis dream has become a reality. NAHA has collectedand organized an archive of countless articles, records,and photographs, published nearly one hundred scholarlybooks, grown to include over 2000 members, andbecome internationally recognized and respected.Most importantly, NAHA has truly attained its goal ofbecoming an organization that honors and celebratesthe history of Norwegian Americans. NAHA could nothave done all of this without the help of each and everymember during the last 85 years, and the growth andachievements of the association should be celebrated!NAHA's 35th birthday party is a time for every NAHAmember, whose contributions keep this organizationalive, to gather and reflect on what we've accomplishedtogether.But the work of the Norwegian-AmericanHistorical Association is certainly not over. It's time tocelebrate what we've done but also to see what newdirections the association can take to propel us into thenext 85 years. NAHA's mission of collecting, preserving,and interpreting the Norwegian-American part ofthe United States' history carries on into the future, andit is with great anticipation that we move into a newera as an association.NAHA's 35th year also marks an importantchange in our staff. After thoroughly consideringeach of the finalists for the position of AdministrativeDirector for NAHA, and listening to the very helpfulcomments of each Board Member, the ExecutiveCommittee decided unanimously to offer the positionto Jackie Henry, who is currently employed as Directorof Advancement Services at St. Olaf College. Jackiehas accepted the position and will bring great enthusiasmand experience to NAHA. Her work at theCollege has involved significant support for fundraisingand those are skills that I believe she can put to greatadvantage for NAHA. We are looking forward toJackie's arrival in early September.I hope you all will join me in thanldng CatherineCleland for her outstanding work for NAHA, particularlyover the past 20 months since Kim Holland'sdeparture. She has been an exceptional employee andwe wish her the very best.To help us look ahead to the growth of NAHA inthe upcoming years, we would be honored to have youjoin us at our Biennial Meeting and 35th BirthdayParty. Come help us celebrate how far we've come andmove forward with anticipation for the future!Jack TunheimNAHA PresidentThe archivists attended a workshop focused on"Letters of Migration" at the Immigration HistoryResearch Center (IHRC) of the University ofMinnesota on May 18, 2010. The workshop was partof a conference focused upon the creation at the IHRCof a website with digital copies and translations ofimmigrant letters from many different ethnic groups inNorth America between 1850 and 1970. The websitewill be a resource for teachers, students, family historyresearchers and others who are interested in the history

and the stories found in immigrant letters. The workshopgave the archivists an opportunity to learn aboutother ethnic archival collections in the US and Canada(Italian, German, Ukrainian, Estonian, Finnish, Polish,Czech and Slovak, for instance) and to interact withother scholars and archivists who use and care forimmigrant letters.Watch for additions, later this summer, to theNorwegian-American images athttp:/ /www.naha. stolaf.edu/archives/noramimages .html.The initial one hundred historical images ofNorwegian-American life and culture from Minnesotawill soon be joined by an additional one hundredimages from Wisconsin. Included are images from theRossing family and store in Argyle, from Gale Collegeand Stoughton Academy, from the Ole Felland collection,and from the New Richmond tornado of 1899.The images will be searchable in a variety of ways,including by county, with Dane and Lafayette Countiesbeing particularly well represented.NAHA members who visit the St. Olaf campuswill be interested to know that the college's distinctive18th_century Norwegian clock has been restored andcan be viewed in the president's office suite. Thisunique and valuable tall-case clock, made circa 1779,was given to the college by Christian J. Golee (1890-1950), a prominent Norwegian immigrant businessmanof Evanston, Illinois. It also features Gudbrandsdalenstyle rosemaling. The conservation work was done byMr. Robert Tjaden of Apple Valley, MN under a grantfrom the Ella and Kaare Nygaard Foundation.The following was recently donated to NAHA byNorman Pietan, Mankato, Minn. The essay, "TheKeys" (see below), was written by Eric Lien Houlder,ca. 1960. Few items exist in the archives written byadolescents that tell of the Norwegian-American experience.His mother, Dr. Marie Lien, was a professor ofart (specializing in Scandinavian art) at the Universityof Minnesota. Marie's father, Jonas Lien, was aninventive engineer for American Electric Power, formerlyAmerican Gas and Electric Company in NewYork City (see NAHA publication, Saga in Steel andConcrete by Dr. Kenneth Bjork, pg. 398).Remarks by Pietan:Eric Lien Houlder was born in 1948 and wasgrowing up as a blond, blue-eyed Scandinavian type ofboy, tall and thin for his age. He was also very intelligent;the brightest in his class at school in Berkeley,California, and the boy whom one would expect tobecome an important scientist or writer when older. Inaddition, though, Eric was sensitive and shy-the kindof boy that bullies like to pick on and beat up. So hedid not have a happy life, and unfortunately lived onlyfor 13 years.He died when he was visiting his Uncle PaulLien'sfarm in upstate New York. Eric and afriend hisage were out on a boat on a nearby lake, rowing andswimming on a sunny July day. Apparently they werenot aware that the water was so shallow at that particularplace in the lake. This time when Eric dived hishead hit a rock and he was instantly killed. In theyears since, I have felt the loss of that highly talentedyoung man.Sometime later his mother, Marie, sent me a copyof something he had written earlier, called "The Keys".The KeysBy Erik Lien HoulderI never owned anything important until Bestefardied. Then I found a set of his keys, very large andvery small keys, handmade keys. They were from"home." Bestefar was what I called my grandfatherfrom Norway. He was supposed to be old and unpopularbut he was the only one I knew who was interestedin the future. He talked atomic energy and lasers andeven time-space. Somehow he knew oceanographywould soon be the "in" thing and bought me a microscopethat was for a pro and not a kid. He could send amind soaring.When Bestefar died last year everything disappearedin his house. The Salvation Army came andtook his custom tailored suits. That was the last. Ilooked everywhere for something forgotten that I couldkeep in my pocket like the watch Bestefar held in hishand when we talked time-space. Mostly I hoped forhis violin. He used to hide that in a closet and onlyplayed for me private like. When he bowed thosestrings the sounds were so soft it cut right through myheart. He must have been thinking about Norway.More than anything I wanted to find that violin. Iwanted to see if I could get back those sounds. Theywere Bestefar's sounds of "home" and they were mysounds of Bestefar.I never located that violin. But I found a set ofBestefar's keys, very large and very small keys, oldkeys from "home." Sometime I must go to Norway andsee what I can unlock with those keys. I never ownedanything important until Bestefar died.

Eric Lien Houlder was buried, age thirteen, in Nmwaynear the birthplace of his Bestefar.• Added to Collection P1395: Memoirs by IvarRarnseth (handwritten, photocopied, and bound, 93pages, n.d.)• Added to Collection P570 (Norwegian-AmericanSinging Societies Papers). Sanger Hilsen: Photographsand Recordings of the N orrnanna Male Choir ofDuluth, MN (1940s-50s) and Viking Male Choir ofCloquet, MN (1978-87). 3 CDs, prepared byChristopher Susag.• Added to Collection P565 (Norway during WW IIPapers): Scandinavian Resistance books and papers(collected by and written by Paul Wehr, Univ. of Co.)• Added to Collection P785 (Camp Nidaros [FergusFalls/Ottertail Lake] Papers): "If Cabins Could Talk," ahistory of Camp Nidaros, written by its residents, cornpiledby Beverly and Stanley Satre, on the occasion ofthe woth anniversary celebration, July 18-19, 2009.• Received April 2010 from Louise Stockman,Vancouver, WA, via John Bye, Institute for RegionalStudies & University Archives, NDSU: Aandahl Familypapers. Includes more than 150 family letters, 1882-1906. Family emigrated from Andalsnes, Norway in1881 and settled in Barnes County, North Dakota. Son,Fred Aandahl, served as Governor of N.D. from 1945to 1950.• Received May 2010 from Vivian (Lee) Engebrit,Savage, MN: Olav Lee Family papers. Olav Leeattended Luther College and later served on the facultyat St. Olaf College. Family genealogy records and collectedresearch. Collection includes two photo albumswith images dating from 1875-1925. Images includeLuther and St. Olaf as well as Lee and F. A. Schmidtfamilies and descendants.We ask that all visitors call (507-786-3229) oremail(naha-archivists@stolaf.edu) in advance to makean appointment. Our public hours are generally 8:30a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Monday to Friday, and afternoonappointments can also often be made on week-days.However, the archivists do have work that takes themoutside the archives; and vacation days, illnesses, andspecial events require occasional closures. Advanceappointments minimize disappointments and help thearchivists plan their work. The presence of several volunteerswith family history expertise on Thursdays providesus with superior staffing on that day. We alsoappreciate advance notice of what materials visitorswill request: this can easily be done by using Leif toidentify appropriate items and by e-rnailing the informationto the archivists. We will try to help visitorswithout appointments to the extent that other workallows, but we cannot always guarantee that any helpwill be available or even that the archives will be open.Use of the archives is free for current NAHA members:lapsed memberships may be renewed at the beginningof a visit. Non-members pay a daily fee of $15.00 ormay join NAHA upon anival. Visitors should bringcoins for any copying to be done.Randi Dammerud Mitchell1944- 2010It is with sonow that we share the news of RandiMitchell's death on June 7, 2010 in Minneapolis froman aggressive blood disorder. Many of our memberswill remember Randi as the Assistant Secretary in theNAHA office in the early 1980s, taking on that positionafter Elaine Kringen's retirement, and before RuthCrane took over in 1986.Randi was born 13 March 1944 in Oslo, Norway,during the German occupation of World War II. Shemet her future husband, Mancel Mitchell, when heattended the Oslo Summer School and remained inNorway for the following school year. After their marriageshe immigrated to Minnesota. Prior to her posi-

tion at NAHA she worked at the Norwegian Consulatein the Foshay Tower in Minneapolis. She remainedvitally interested in the Norwegian-American communityof the Twin Cities, and NAHA held a special placein her affections.As the family stated in her obituary, "Randi was acitizen of the world, who created beauty in all ourlives, an artist of many talents, a lover of nature, hergolden retriever, Tober, and friends throughout theworld. Her credo was, 'God Bless the World, NoExceptions'".Randi is survived by her husband Mancel Jr.;daughter Lise (Curt) Wall; sons Mancel III (Sarah) andErik (Jenny); her six beloved grandchildren, Evan,Sawyer, Audrey, Markus, Helen, and Henry; her brotherLeif (Berit) Dammerud; and extended family inNorway.A memorial service was held on June 19, atChapel Hills United Church of Christ, Edina.-Ruth Hanold CraneDorothy Burton Skarda/Dorothy Burton Skarda! died on June 10, 2010,following a long illness. She was nearly 88 years old.With Ingrid Semmingsen and Kjetil A. Flatin, and withthe encouragement and assistance of Professor Odd S.Lovoll, she founded the Norway Chapter of TheNorwegian-American Historical Association.A native of Omaha, Nebraska, Dorothy BurtonSkarda! was the granddaughter of Swedish immigrantsto that state. After graduating from Middlebury Collegein Vermont, she took a Master's degree at RadcliffeCollege and a doctorate in History of AmericanCivilization at Harvard University. She married OlavSkarda!, a Norwegian, and moved permanently toNorway in 1953. Beginning in 1965, she taughtAmerican Studies at the University of Oslo, where shebecame Senior Lecturer at the American Institute,teaching American Literature and Background. Shestudied Scandinavian immigrant literature in historicalarchives in the American Middle West and in Norway,Sweden, and Denmark. Based on her doctoral dissertation,her book The Divided Heart: ScandinavianImmigrant Experience through Literary Sources waspublished in 1974. Her dissertation advisor was the distinguishedProfessor Oscar Handlin of HarvardUniversity.Dr. Skarda! was an enthusiastic supporter of TheNorwegian-American Historical Association,Nordmanns-Forbundet (The Norse Federation), TheNorway-America Association (NORAM), and TheNorwegian Emigrant Museum and Research Centernear Hamar.Funeral services were held on Friday, June 18. Shewas preceded in death by her husband Olav and is survivedby two daughters.85 Years and Going StrongNorwegian-American Historical AssociationBiennial Membership MeetingWhen: Saturday, October 23, 2010.Time: 9:00 am to 4:00 pmWhere: St. Olaf College, Northfield, MNJoin the board, staff, and fellow NAHA members for anexciting day of celebration and information.Highlights include the luncheon with a special speakerand several workshop sessions to choose from-onebefore and one following the luncheon. Music will beprovided during registration by the group Geitost.The membership meeting in the afternoon will presentinformation on the Association's current projects andwill end with election of directors. The new Board ofDirectors will then elect its officers to lead NAHA forthe next two-year period.We will wind up the celebration with birthday cake anda book fair following the membership meeting. Thebook fair will feature authors who have used theNAHA archives in their research.We hope you will join us for a delicious lunch, interestingworkshops and speakers, and the membershipmeeting and that you will take advantage of the opportunityto meet authors and have your books signed.Please return the enclosed registration form by Oct 18.We look forward to seeing you at Buntrock Commons,St. Olaf College, on Saturday, October 23.In honor of NAHA's 85 Years and Going Strong, wesuggest donations in amounts such as $8,500, $850,$85, $18.50, $8.50-or use your imagination for anappropriate gift.

Norwegian-American Historical Association-Biennial Membership MeetingWhen: Saturday, October 23, 2010 9:00 am to 4:00 pmWhere: St. Olaf College, Northfield, MNI (we) will attend the membership meetingNAME(S):ADDRESS:OTHER CONTACT INFORMATION (e-mail, phone) _______ _Sorry, I am not able to attend the meeting, but I enclose a birthday gift to NAHA __Schedule of events: (Place an X by those events you plan to attend)9:00-9:4510:00-10:4511:00-11:4512:00-1:451:45-2:302:45-3:153:15-4:00Registration and coffee in the Buntrock Commons CrossroadsWelcome and announcements in the Viking TheaterBreakout sessionsSession I NAHA and web resources for family historySession II Stories ofNorwegian-American womenLunch with speakerNAHA recognitionsBreakout sessionsSession III Stories ofNAHA publicationsSession IV Stories from the archivesMembership meeting, reports and election of boardBirthday cakeBook fair and author book signingRegistration fee of $10 to attend events from 9:00am to 2:30pmRegistration for the lunch and speaker $20Happy 35th birthday NAHA donationTOTALIn honor ofNAHA's 85 Years and Going Strong, we suggest donations in amounts suchas $8,500, $850, $85, $18.50, $8.50-or use your imagination for an appropriate gift.Please make out checks to NAHA and indicate that this is for the biennial meeting. Ifyou would like to pay with your credit card you can access Paypal through our websitewww.naha.stolaf.eduPlease detach and return by October 18 to:NAHASt. Olaf College1510 St. Olaf AvenueNorthfield, MN 55057

Norwegian-American Historical AssociationSt. Olaf CollegeNorthfield, Minnesota 55057www.naha.stolaf .edu507-786-3221Change Service RequestedNON-PROFIT ORG.U.S. POSTAGEPAIDFARIBAULT, MNPERMIT NO. 21$500-$1,000Norman Erickson • Frank Tysver$201-$500Luther 0. Forde • Rev. Richard Halom • KermitHanson$101-$200Adrienne S. Morrison • Dr. Allan Sortland$51-$100R.W. Anderson • Janet K. Geronime • Dr. Frederic A.Giere • Stan Hultgren • Joan Martone • Frederic J.Peterson • John C. Reese • SIN Wergeland Lodge #28• Arne Sovik • Judge John R. Tunheim$5-$50Carol Burckhardt • Bernt B. Johnson • Solveig LeeKen Moenck • Michael Oiseth • Rudolph A. Ramseth• John ThorpeSpecial DonationsDr. Frederic A. Giere - In memory of good friendLloyd HustvedtKermit Hanson - In memory of Helen C. HansonKen Moenck - In honor of Halldor SandvinAdrienne S. Morrison -In honor of ThelmaBendicksonJudge John R. Tunheim- Honorarium from NorwegianLutheran Memorial ChurchItalicized denotes NAHA Board Members