Sons of Norway

For the 2011 film, see Sons of Norway (film).
Sons of Norway Building in Minneapolis, Minnesota

Sønner av Norge (English: Sons of Norway) is a fraternal organization representing people of Norwegian heritage in the United States and Canada. It describes its mission as "to promote and to preserve the heritage and culture of Norway, to celebrate our relationship with other Nordic countries, and provide quality insurance and financial products" to its members. The organization was founded by 18 members on January 16, 1895, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, to insure each other when they were unable to secure life insurance on their own.[1] Currently, the Sons of Norway has nearly 400 lodges in the United States, Canada and Norway. With over 57,000 members, the Sons of Norway is the largest Norwegian organization outside of Norway.[2]

History

Sons of Norway Logo

The Sons of Norway was founded in January 1893, and incorporated on June 22, 1898 as the Independent Order of the Sons of Norway.[3] Twelve lodges were founded across the Midwest by 1900. In 1903 a group in Seattle asked the Midwestern group for a charter, however they did not wish to have compulsory insurance for the members, which was anathema to the parent order. The Seattle group organized as Leif Erikson Lodge No. 1 anyway and with other West Coast groups set up the Grand Lodge of the Sons of Norway of the Pacific Coast. The two orders quarreled until they held a convention in Superior, Wisconsin in June 1909, merging the next year.[4] (Other sources say they merged in 1912.[5])

The Sons of Norway absorbed the Knights of the White Cross in 1940.[6]

Organization

The organization slowly expanded across the United States and includes lodges in Canada and Norway. Today, Sons of Norway continues to make an effort to build on the traditions of the past while at the same time focusing on modern Norwegian-American lives. The organization has programs to appeal to the 4th and 5th generation descendants who show interest in their roots.[7]

Sons of Norway International Conventions

Daughters of Norway

Women were admitted to local groups as early as 1916, in areas where the Sons' female auxiliary, the Daughters of Norway, was unorganized. The Daughters were united into the male organization in 1950 and a system of junior lodges was created in 1956.[6]

Membership

To qualify for membership originally, one had to be male, either Norwegian or of Norwegian descent, give proof of being morally upright, in good health, capable of supporting a family, at least 20 years old and no more than 50. Now, membership is open to everyone with an interest in Norwegian culture.

In 1978 the Sons of Norway had 40,000 members in 340 local lodges.[5] There were 90,000 members in 1995, and 64,186 members in 2010.[6]

Rituals

The ritualistic aspects of the order were removed in the early part of the twentieth century at the request of the Rev. H. G. Stubb, president of the Norwegian Lutheran Synod. Most secret aspects of the order were removed as well. There was still some opposition to the order by some Lutheran Churches which was "directed against the religious and social activities of the lodges, which latter consist of dancing, which brings the young people into a worldly atmosphere detrimental to spirituality.[8]

Insurance benefits

The benefits offered by the Sons of Norway have fluctuated over the years. they originally offered life, sickness and accident insurance but in 1934 restricted coverage to life insurance only. Gradually other benefits were restored.[6]

Statistics

As of December 31, 2013:

In 2013, Sons of Norway lodges and members gave more than 500,000 hours of volunteerism and $1 million to their communities.

Notable buildings

Some of the Sons of Norway's buildings are historic and/or are otherwise notable, including:

The Sons of Norway also maintains a large library and retirement home.[6]

References

  1. ↑ History of Sons of Norway, an American fraternal organization of men and women of Norwegian birth or extraction by Carl G. O. Hansen, (Minneapolis: Sons of Norway Supreme Lodge, 1944).
  2. ↑ http://www.sonjax.com
  3. ↑ Schmidt, Alvin J. Fraternal Organizations Westport, CT; Greenwood Press p.322
  4. ↑ A Brief History of Sons of Norway by Hildegarde M. Strom
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 Schmidt p.322
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 Axelrod p.231
  7. ↑ A brief history of Sons of Norway
  8. ↑ Bergson, Rev B. E. "Sons of Norway" in Christian Cynosure Vol. XLVII #2 p.36
  9. ↑ Mark T. Fiege, Mary E. McCormick, and Fredric L. Quivik (July 1986). "National Register of Historic Places Registration: Minot Commercial Historic District". National Park Service. and accompanying photos
  10. ↑ Minot MRA

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Sons of Norway.

Coordinates: 44°56′53″N 93°18′00″W / 44.948084°N 93.29993°W