Sons of Norway - History of Sons of Norway

History of Sons of Norway

Sons of Norway was started by Norwegian founders that were cautious men that worried about survival for their families and neighbors. They recalled the assistance plan from Trondheim where members paid a small amount each week and in return received free medical care for themselves and their families. It was in this spirit of necessity that Sons of Norway was founded as a mutual assistance society, one built on the principles of American fraternalism. The organization provided not only security against financial crises via life insurance and an outlet to celebrate their nationalism, but it also served to preserve their Norwegian heritage.

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.

The organization slowly expanded across the United States and now 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. There must be programs to appeal to the 4th and 5th generation descendants who show interest in their roots.

Read more about this topic:  Sons Of Norway

Famous quotes containing the words history of, history, sons and/or norway:

    We said that the history of mankind depicts man; in the same way one can maintain that the history of science is science itself.
    Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe (1749–1832)

    These anyway might think it was important
    That human history should not be shortened.
    Robert Frost (1874–1963)

    Until you have a son of your own . . . you will never know the joy, the love beyond feeling that resonates in the heart of a father as he looks upon his son. You will never know the sense of honor that makes a man want to be more than he is and to pass something good and hopeful into the hands of his son. And you will never know the heartbreak of the fathers who are haunted by the personal demons that keep them from being the men they want their sons to be.
    Kent Nerburn (20th century)

    Write about winter in the summer. Describe Norway as Ibsen did, from a desk in Italy; describe Dublin as James Joyce did, from a desk in Paris. Willa Cather wrote her prairie novels in New York City; Mark Twain wrote Huckleberry Finn in Hartford, Connecticut. Recently, scholars learned that Walt Whitman rarely left his room.
    Annie Dillard (b. 1945)