The annual meeting of the Slooper Society of America meets each October on the Sunday closest to October 9th, the date of landing of the Restauration at New York harbor in 1825. Unless otherwise announced, the meeting is usually at the Norway Community Building, Norway, IL, just off Route 71. Dinner is served promptly at 1:00 pm. Please note that the meetings are not limited to Slooper descendants. Anyone with an interest in Norwegian-American history and culture is welcome.
List of Speakers at the Slooper Society Annual Meetings
MTG#: 98
DATE: Sunday, Oct. 8th, 2023
This year the Sloopers partnered with the Norsk Museum and members of the Cleng Peerson and Polar Star lodges to put on a very special meeting. A wonderful meal was provided by the Norsk Museum which included cod, ham with kumla, lutefisk, meatballs, cabbage, Jarlsburg cheese, specialty breads, breads with lingonberry sauce, kringla, lefse, Norwegian desserts and guma.
Our feature presentation this year was, “The Sloopers of 1825” by Dale Goodman. Dale is a descendant of Tormond Madland and Siri Iversdatter Seldal who sailed aboard Restauration in 1825.
The meeting was very well attended by approximately 85 people which included a very special visit from Art Mortvedt who traveled all the way from northern Alaska to join us in beautiful Norway, IL. But that is really nothing for Art as he has travelled the world including multiple visits to the North and South poles. To learn more about this very interesting Norwegian-American and his airplane, the Polar Pumpkin, check out polarflight90.com .
MTG#: 96
DATE: Sunday, Oct. 10th, 2021
With the bicentennial of the Sloopers 1825 arrival in America fast approaching, it’s time to think about the early days of those pioneers. Dave Johnson, board President of the Norsk Museum and Slooper Society Historian will present, “The Slooper Story”. You might think you know all there is to know about the Sloopers and their history, but Dave’s exhaustive research of the Sloopers and Cleng Peerson has uncovered some new stories and history you may not have previously known. This program will also serve as a sneak peek at Dave’s new book, “The Cleng Peerson Story” and his upcoming video, “The Sloopers Story“.
MTG#: 95
DATE: Sunday, Oct. 11th, 2020
95th annual meeting of the Slooper Society of America scheduled for Sunday, October 11th, 2020 was canceled. We are very disappointed but after careful consideration of the ongoing spread of COVID-19, the members of the Slooper Society Board of Directors did not feel it would be responsible to hold the meeting this year.Looking forward to better conditions next year and hope to see you October 10th, 2021!
MTG#: 94
DATE: Sunday, Oct. 6th, 2019
SPEAKER: Laurann Gilbertson; Chief Curator, Vesterheim
FROM: Vesterheim, The National Norwegian-American Museum and Heritage Center, Decorah, IA
TOPIC: “The Power of Silver: Traditional Norwegian Jewelry”
MTG#: 93
DATE: Sunday, Oct. 7, 2018
SPEAKER: Bill Injerd
Topic: Norwegian-Americans (especially Sloopers) and World War 1
Special Guests: The Stoughton Norwegian Dancers
MTG#: 92
DATE: Sunday, Oct. 8th, 2017
SPEAKER: Kirk and Renee Mies
FROM: Lindenhurst, IL
TOPIC: “An enduring legacy… How the lives of our ancestors shape our lives today”
MTG#: 91
DATE: Sunday, Oct. 9, 2016
SPEAKER: Linda Anderson
FROM: Norsk Museum (Norway, IL)
TOPIC: The Leif Erikson Legacy
MTG#: 90
DATE: Sunday, Oct. 11, 2015
SPEAKER: Anna Pierce
FROM: North Aurora, IL
TOPIC: Creating a Museum from Forgotten Treasures
MTG#: 89
DATE: Sunday, Oct. 5, 2014
SPEAKER: Bill Injerd and others
FROM: Washington, MI
TOPIC: Release of new re-print, The Sloopers: Their Ancestry and Posterity
MTG#: 88
DATE: Sunday, Oct. 6, 2013
SPEAKER: Chris Ardis
FROM: McAllen, TX
TOPIC: Following Cleng Peerson: A Niece’s Journey
MTG#: 87
DATE: Sunday, Oct. 14, 2012
SPEAKER: John Huston
FROM: Evanston, IL
TOPIC: Lessons From the North Pole – The First American Unsupported Expedition to the North Pole
MTG#: 85
DATE: Sunday, Oct. 10, 2010
SPEAKER: Lorrain Straw
FROM: Oregon, IL
TOPIC: Restoring the Gokstad Viking Ship
MTG#: 81
DATE: Oct. 8, 2006
SPEAKER: Della Moen
FROM: Freeport, IL
TOPIC: Trolls & Life’s Important Lessons
MTG#: 80
DATE: Sunday, Oct. 9, 2005
SPEAKER: Vera-Elisabet Littlejohn
FROM: Elburn, IL
TOPIC: Viking Women
MTG#: 79
DATE: Sunday, Oct. 10, 2004
SPEAKER: Margaret Knutson
FROM: Millbrook, IL
TOPIC: Rosemaling
MTG#: 78
DATE: Sunday, Oct. 12, 2003
SPEAKER: Bill Injerd
FROM: Washington, MI
TOPIC: The Fox River Settlement Project
MTG#: 77
DATE: Sunday, Oct. 6, 2002
SPEAKER: Lynn Sove Maxson
FROM: Des Plaines, IL
TOPIC: Music and Norwegian Culture
My husband and I had hoped to attend the annual meeting, but just today realized the date was a week earlier than we had on our calendar (October 12) We are sorry we will miss this year due to a wedding. I am a descendant of the Rosdail family: J. Hart Rosdail was a first cousin of Dad’s and a guest in our home many times growing up. Thank you for getting the book reprinted and updated. Wish we could be present for the program! Jan Rosdail-Aegerter.
We will update the website with information for ordering the book if interested in purchasing a copy. Sorry you couldn’t be here for the unveiling.