94th Annual Meeting Report (2019)

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The 94th annual meeting of the Norwegian Slooper Society of America was held in Norway, Illinois on October 6th, 2019. 80 people were in attendance for the event.

There were of course many regulars in attendance this year, but we were very thankful for quite a few newcomers as well. Robert Fruland (descendant of Ove Rossadal) joined us from Hendersonville, NV. And Sue Taylor-Moore joined us from Bedford, VA. Sue is a, “Super Slooper” with descendants from Rossadal, Madland and Haukaas. Both Robert and Sue traveled to Norway during the past year and visited their respective family’s farms. It was so much fun to hear the stories of their visits and their passion for their heritage was contagious. There were many other new visitors this year and I apologize for not being able to list everyone… but we are so glad you joined us!

Vesterheim Gold-Medalist knife maker Perry Straw joined us again this year. Perry had a wonderful display of his beautiful creations. Perry also represented the Friends of the Viking Ship and he took great pride in explaining this historically important ship.

Vesterheim President/CEO Chris Johnson joined us from beautiful Decorah, IA. Chris presented us with an update on recent events at Vesterheim and their preparations for the 2025 celebrations. Of course we know the Sloopers are the central figures in this celebration and it was exciting to hear what is already being planned. Additionally, Vesterheim has been working with the world-famous design firm, Snøhetta to develop a long-term master plan for the museum. The first phase of this master plan will be the renovation of Vesterheim’s Outdoor Division which incorporates existing historic structures to transform the landscape into one that enhances and expands the narrative of the early settlement experience. 

Our feature presentation was presented by Laurann Gilbertson. Laurann is the Chief Curator at Vesterheim and her presentation was entitled, “The Power of Silver: Traditional Norwegian Jewelry”. For centuries, Norwegians have treasured the beauty of silver. Laurann explained how silver showed the prosperity of a family, and, according to folk belief, could protect against underworld creatures and other malevolent forces. It was very interesting to learn more about the rich variety and styles of silver jewelry, and to explore the beliefs surrounding this, “powerful” metal.

I would like to especially thank Chris Johnson and Laurann Gilbertson for making the journey from Decorah to present to the Sloopers. Vesterheim is the national Norwegian-American museum and heritage center, with over 33,000 artifacts, 12 historic buildings, a Folk Art School, and a library and archives. This treasure showcases the most extensive collection of Norwegian-American artifacts in the world. Vesterheim’s exhibitions explore the diversity of American immigration through the lens of the Norwegian-American experience and highlight the best in historic and contemporary Norwegian folk and fine arts. Please check out Vesterheim’s website for more information and I hope you will consider a membership to this very important museum that works so hard to celebrate and preserve the memories and traditions of our Norwegian ancestors.

Speaking of great museums, I would strongly encourage you to visit our very own Norsk Museum in Norway, IL. No other museum contains so many Slooper artifacts. As Sloopers, we should all consider the Norsk museum to be, “our” museum and I 1e2ba64027752a7dcb71cf7aa7036510encourage your support. The Norsk Museum will host a smorgasbord on Saturday, November 16th. Please check out their website for more information.

 

 

 

Let’s Have Breakfast In Norway!

The Norsk Museum will be hosting their 5th annual, “Breakfast in Norway” on June 1st, 2019. This annual event marks the seasonal opening of the Norsk Museum. Located in Norway, Illinois, the Norsk Museum is a real treasure and contains many Slooper artifacts… it is truly the museum of the Sloopers and I would encourage everyone to support the Norsk Museum by attending this event. Tickets may be purchased at the door or in advance at a discount. To reserve your tickets today please call 815-343-5070.

The Restauration is at Risk!

Today I received some potentially sad news from Norway… The replica of the Restauration is for sale.

Often referred to as the, “Norwegian Mayflower” of course this is a very important ship… not only to those of us who descend from the original, “Sloopers” who sailed from Stavanger to New York in 1825 but to all who descend from the 800,000 Norwegians who followed in the “Sloopers” wake and to all who have an interest in the great Norwegian-American immigration story.

A film documenting the story of Cleng Peerson is being planned in anticipation of the bicentennial celebration of the Sloopers landing in America and the ship was to play a key role in the film.

The listing, along with pictures and a description of the ship can be found at https://www.finn.no/boat/forsale/ad.html?finnkode=133598533

It really would be a tremendous loss if the Restauration were to be sold. Since her completion in 2010, the replica has been a tangible symbol of the great Norwegian emigration. Through a partnership with Ryfylke Livsgnist, the ship has been employed as a tool to teach both young and old about the 1825 Voyage of the Restauration, the story of the great Norwegian emigration to America, and the strong connections between Norway and America that were the result.

My family had the opportunity to sail on the ship in 2017. As a descendant of those who sailed aboard the original Restauration, this was one of the most meaningful experiences of my life. Words cannot describe the range of emotions as story-teller, Tolli Frestad described the stories of our ancestors voyage across the Atlantic. NRK did a short video of my family’s experience (see video below).

With the decision to sell the Restauration come many questions about the fate of this important piece of Norwegian-American history. It would truly be tragic if the ship were to leave Norway. Yet I t remains my hope that this crisis may be turned into an opportunity for people to recognize this important symbol of shared Norwegian-American history and that through this crisis the Restauration will be saved from an ignominious fate.

I know many of you have also had the opportunity to visit the Restauration in Stavanger. Please leave a reply to this post as we would love to hear about your experience and what this ship means to you and any ideas on how she might be saved for generations to come.

Med trist hilsen,

Kirk Mies (Rossadal)

Here is a link to an article on the sale of the Restauration that appeared in the November 14th issues of the Tysvær Bygdeblad:

https://tysver-bygdeblad.no/2018/11/14/restaurasjon-lagt-ut-for-salg/

93rd Annual Meeting Report (2018)

The 93rd annual meeting of the Norwegian Slooper Society of America was held in Norway, Illinois on October 7th, 2018. 154 people attended including the Stoughton Norwegian Dancers.

The current board and guests honored the previous board members for their 25 years of service to the Slooper Society. Pat Hayes, Wes Hougsted, and Lou Wise were each presented with a certificate acknowledging and thanking them for their many years of service.

Vesterheim Gold-Medalist knife maker Perry Straw had a wonderful display of his beautiful creations. Additionally, Perry also represented the Friends of the Viking Ship and he took great pride in explaining this historically important ship.

Dale Goodman briefly spoke on the significance of the Sloopers, the foundation of the Norwegian Slooper Society of America in 1925, and the upcoming bicentennial celebration of the Slooper’s arrival in America in 2025.

The Stoughton Norwegian Dancers stole the show with their entertaining and engaging presentation of  traditional Scandinavian folk dance and authentic Norwegian bunads. The group of Stoughton High School School Sophomores, Juniors and Seniors put on quite the show and even managed to teach the Sloopers some new dance moves.

The main program this year featured Bill Injerd, the “unofficial” historian of the Slooper Society.  Bill presented an engaging audio-visual presentation on, “Norwegian-Americans and World War One” in celebration of the end of that war 100 years ago on November 11, 1918. Thank you to Bill for his hard work and dedication to preserving the rich heritage that binds us together… the Norwegian-American experience.

We enjoyed the company of some special guests. Børge Wermundsen and his companion Inger Johanne Flaata joined us from Oslo. The couple are on a 4-week tour of the midwest in a rented motorhome. In addition to beautiful Norway, Il they have already visited Decorah, IA and plan stops in Sioux City, Pierre, Bismarck, Minot, Fillmore, Grand Forks, and Minneapolis. God tur Børge and Inga!

The annual election of Board Members was held. In addition to preserving the current Board consisting of Steve Southcombe (President), Kirk Mies (Vice President), and Renée Mies (Secretary), we are excited that three new additions were made to the Board. Erin Kauffman joins as the newly appointed Treasurer and Jan Rosdail-Aegerter and Dale Goodman were appointed as Board Trustees. Thank you for your willingness to serve!

History Alive Project

David and Ruth Amundson at the History Alive Project house at 218 N Main St, Westby, WI

This past April during our visit to Livsreise Renée and I had the pleasure of meeting David and Ruth Amundson of the History Alive Project. Through their project, David and Ruth work with both the local community and schools of Westby, WI to, “…create out of the box projects to discover and maintain the Westby area’s history for community members of all ages”. They even teach the students about the Sloopers, Cleng Peerson, and the importance of this first organized immigration to America. The Amundson’s project sounded fascinating and this couple’s passion for their project is truly captivating and so Renée and I put a visit to Westby on our to-do list for this summer.

Through the years David and Ruth have acquired many interesting artifacts and pictures in an attempt to demonstrate and preserve the fascinating history of Westby and it’s residents. Eventually this collection outgrew their home and so the Amundson’s purchased a beautiful and historic home located on 218 North Main Street in Westby in order to house their collection and serve as the headquarters for the History Alive Project.

Renée and I presented David and Ruth with a copy of, “The Uprooting” by Vigleik Rosseland. We thought The Uprooting story would match well with History Alive Project’s mission. If you have time, we would encourage you to visit the History Alive Project, beautiful Westby and the Amundsons.

For more information and to view some great examples of the pictures the Amundson’s have collected visit History Alive Project website and the History Alive Project Facebook page.

Dale Goodman Presents, “The Sloopers of 1825” at Livsreise Norwegian Heritage Center

Sloopers present Livsreise with a print of the Restauration

Sloopers present Livsreise with a print of the Restauration

 

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Sloopers Kirk Mies, Susan Goodman, Steve Southcombe, Renee Mies, and Dale Goodman with Livsreise’s Marg Listug.

On Saturday, April 28th, 2018 our own Dale Goodman was the keynote speaker at the Livsreise Norwegian Heritage Center in Stoughton, WI. Dale gave a wonderful presentation detailing the events leading up to the voyage, why it took until October 9th for them to reach America, what happened in the new colony they established in Kendall county, NY and ultimately how they ended up in what is now Norway, Illinois.

Dale spoke to a standing-room-only crowd of more than 100 people and entertained many questions from the audience after his presentation. Dale’s presentation was entertaining and informative. The Sloopers manned an information desk at the event and it was fantastic to meet so many people who were excited to learn more about the Sloopers and the American Slooper Society.

A Special Report from Fogn, Norway

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Sunday September 3rd was unveiled a memorial stone on the farm Eide on the island of Fogn to commemorate Marta Jørgensdotter Eide.

Many people came to Eide this day. Also the new Restauration, the replica of the first Restauration came to Eidsvåg dock with many guests on board. All had a nice, interesting celebrating.

Marta was married to Lars Larsson Jeilane. He was the leader of the group who emigrated at the sloop Restauration from Stavanger, Norway July 4th 1825.

After two mounts on board, Marta gave birth to their first baby, a daughter named Margareth Allen. And still the mother with the baby had to be one month more on board till the sloop arrived in New York October 9th.

Martha and Lars Larson built their home in Rochester. They helped many emigrants comming to America the next pioneering years. On the way toward west the emigrants often came with short of money and food. Martha, the head of the housekeeping was helpful, and with love she took good care of them, though it was often difficult to supply all the necessary food.

Here on Fogn, Martha`s birth place, we call her: Mother of the Norwegian emigration to America.

           Greetings from Øystein Sandanger
Address:   Opsal 4164 Fogn

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