Fall 2019 Naha.Stolaf.Edu 3 RELAUNCH of NORWEGIAN- AMERICAN STUDIES COMING SOON
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2 3 5 6 11 Lessons from Tour Norway Journal Waldemar Ager Adopt a Tape: the "Minnesota with NAHA Relaunch and Norwegian Help NAHA School" Next June This Fall Americanism Digitize 2018 ANNUAL REPORT INSIDE regions, and finally arriving in Bergen. OUR MINNESOTA Highlights of the tentative itinerary in- clude the Rjukan-Notodden Industrial Heritage Site, designated as a UNESCO SCHOOL ROOTS World Heritage Site, and the Telemark Canal, built in the 19th century. Other tour sites also offer a blend of here is already a buzz among Norwegian-American organizations about 2025, the history, industry, and artistry, includ- June 18–21 bicentennial year of organized emigration from Norway to America. The same year, ing Hadeland Glassworks, built in Tentative NAHA will observe its centennial. 1762; the Hardanger Bestikk cutlery dates for the TNAHA’s founding in 1925 evidenced a heightened awareness among Norwegian factory on the Hardangerfjord; and the NAHA-Norge Americans of the importance of preserving and interpreting the immigration Oleana knitwear factory, which con- seminar at story. It was part of a national trend. Several other immigrant and ethnic groups tinues the rich history of Norwegian the Norwegian on the formed similar organizations in the early 20th century, including the Swedish JOIN NAHA IN textile design and production. Along the way, there Emigration cover Historical Society in America in 1905. will be spectacular landscapes, locally sourced cuisine, Museum in The beginnings of NAHA were also tied to an emerging thread in the field of NORWAY NEXT JUNE and opportunities to learn how industrialization and Ottestad, near Waldemar Ager American immigration history. Called the “Minnesota School” by immigration migration affected these regions from the 18th cen- Hamar is second from scholar Donna Gabaccia, this approach was developed at several Midwestern Two memorable travel opportunities are coming up in June tury to the present. The tour will be guided by NAHA right in this photo land-grant universities, most notably by historians Theodore Blegen and George 2020. Both are open to members and friends of NAHA. Editor Anna Peterson, associate professor of history June 21–28 taken outside Stephenson at the University of Minnesota. The methods were centered on the The Norwegian-American Historical Association at Luther College, and led by Amy Boxrud, executive Tour: “Artistry the Fremad immigrants themselves, with an emphasis on their experiences and voices and ethnic culture. in Norway (NAHA-Norge), will host its triennial director of NAHA, together with local experts. and Industry Publishing Historians Arthur Schlesinger, Sr., Oscar Handlin, and Marcus Hansen at Harvard, and other seminar at the Norwegian Emigration Museum near Arrangements for both events will be made by Borton of Norway” Company in Eau scholars at primarily East Coast universities, interpreted immigration quite differently. Their work Hamar, June 18–21. See more information and the Travel, which also can assist with pre- and post-tour Claire, Wisconsin, focused more generally on the assimilation of immigrants into the American workforce and culture, call for papers below. travel for those interested. The finalized tour itinerary, where the Reform and the resulting effects on American society. Following the seminar, NAHA will offer a week-long cost, and registration instructions will be posted on the newspaper was Blegen had a long association with NAHA, serving as its editor from 1925 until 1960. The tour, “Artistry and Industry of Norway.” The group NAHA website in coming weeks. Space is limited. To printed. His sons establishment of the NAHA archives in the late 1920s, under Ole Rølvaag’s direction, was will meet in Norway’s capital, Oslo, before traveling receive details as they become available, contact us at Trygve (center) squarely in line with the Minnesota School approach of creating archives in collaboration with west through the stunning Telemark and Hardanger [email protected] or 507-786-3221. and Eyvind both academic researchers and immigrant groups. The letters, diaries, and photographs in these (second from collections were essential sources for a research focus on immigrant viewpoints and communities. left) worked with Certainly, the archives are an important aspect of the association’s own history. him. The photo is Our work in collecting, cataloging, preserving, and digitizing continues. Look for more NAHA-Norge Call for Papers part of the Ager initiatives regarding the archives in coming months. Collection in the Meanwhile, for those curious about the Minnesota School of immigration history, there is more The Norwegian-American Historical Association in Norway NAHA archives. to read on the topic from Donna Gabaccia. Now a professor of history at the University of Toronto– announces its next seminar, "Nordic Identity Formation in a Open-air exhibits Transnational Context," to be held June 18–21, 2020 (dates are Scarborough, she is a former director of the Immigration History Research Center at the University of at the Emigrant Museum Minnesota. Her article “The Minnesota School and Immigration History at Midwestern Land Grant still tentative), at the Norwegian Emigrant Museum in Ottestad, Universities, 1890–2005” appeared in the Journal of Migration History in 2015. It can be accessed near Hamar, Norway. The seminar will focus on ties between online at https://cla.umn.edu/sites/cla.umn.edu/files/minnesotaschool.pdf. emigrants from the Nordic countries and their countries of origin, and how this contact shaped the identity of Nordic Americans. Presentations may be delivered in English or Norwegian. Prospective speakers are invited to submit a proposal and a one-page curriculum vitae to NAHA-Norway Chair Nils Olav Østrem by January 1, 2020 ([email protected]). More information is available at nahanorge.wordpress.com. Dennis Gimmestad, President IMAGE (FACING PAGE, TOP): TROLLTUNGA ACTIVE TROLLTUNGA TOP): PAGE, (FACING IMAGE 2 Currents, Fall 2019 naha.stolaf.edu 3 RELAUNCH OF NORWEGIAN- AMERICAN STUDIES COMING SOON NAHA is pleased to announce the redesign and relaunch of its academic journal, Norwegian-American Studies. Since 1926, the association has published 36 volumes of the journal, detailing and interpreting the FALL MEMBER EVENT: Norwegian-American experience. While the look and feel of the journal EXPLORE ST. PAUL'S EAST SIDE have changed, its primary mission has not. “Studies remains focused on showcasing new scholarship in the field of Norwegian-American studies, Save the date, Saturday, October 19, 2019, for a NAHA event focused on including the related fields of history, literature, religion, art, and cultural ethnic settlement on St. Paul's East Side. We will gather at 10 a.m. at the studies,” says NAHA Editor Anna Peterson. East Side Freedom Library, and from there will take a walking tour of Now published annually, the journal also aims to facilitate intellectual the city's Payne-Phalen neighborhood with Macalester College emeritus exchange. “Perhaps one of the biggest changes is the variety of content professor of history Peter Rachleff as our guide. readers can now expect,” Peterson says. The journal will feature original, Rachleff is co-executive director of the Freedom Library, an institution peer-reviewed research alongside discussions of scholarly works in progress, dedicated to telling the stories of residents on the East Side, including the an ongoing dialog about the teaching and learning of Norwegian-American Dakota who first lived there, European immigrants who came in the 19th and studies, reviews of books recently published, and more. early 20th centuries, African Americans and Mexicans who came between While NAHA retains editorial control and copyright for the journal, it the world wars, and more recent immigrants from Southeast Asia, Central will be published as part of the University of Minnesota’s journal program. America, and East Africa, who are revitalizing the neighborhood. Following “We are thrilled to be partnering with the University of Minnesota Press,” the tour, we'll reconvene at the library for refreshments and a discussion to says Peterson. “They have an impressive record of publishing scholarship further explore the history of the neighborhood. in the field of Scandinavian studies and a longstanding relationship with Plan to attend and invite a friend—the public is always welcome. More NAHA, co-publishing several manuscripts with us. We are building on this information and online registration will be available at naha.stolaf.edu historic relationship to offer Studies in both print and electronic forms. All by September 1. of these factors made the collaboration a natural fit.” NAHA members in good standing can expect an issue of Studies to arrive “ONE OF THE BIGGEST by the end of the year. A digital version, along with back issues of the CHANGES IS THE VARIETY RECENT HAPPENINGS journal, will be available free to members via JSTOR, a digital library of more than 12 million academic journal articles, books, and primary sources OF CONTENT READERS in 75 disciplines. CAN NOW EXPECT." Submission guidelines for Norwegian-American Studies can be found at — NAHA Editor Anna Peterson naha.stolaf.edu/pubs/guidelines.htm. For more information, contact Anna Peterson at [email protected]. Kari Garnett is 2019 Summer Intern This year for the second time, NAHA has created a summer internship for a St. Olaf student. Kari Garnett (’21) began a 10-week internship on July 1, working closely with NAHA staff to gain exposure to many facets of archives and nonprofit management. A Gathering of Presidents Spring Member Meetup Looking Ahead NAHA board member Kyle Garnett spent June in Norway on St. Olaf's Snåsa Youth Exchange program. “I learned so Current and past NAHA presidents About 50 members and friends of Jansson (standing) and strategic planning consultant much about the people who decided to leave Norway and come to the U.S.,” Garnett says. A enjoyed a meal together in NAHA gathered on April 30 to hear Beth Kallestad (standing, left) facilitated a visioning Norwegian and psychology major with a Nordic studies concentration, she looks forward to Northfield in May.