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"..you must one day learn the tale and pass it on, that it never be forgotten." 'No Outward Sign' by Bill Neugent, p. 65.
As the work of the pioneer was completed, bygdelags, of which Telelaget of America is just one example, were established in the midwest in an attempt the preserve the language, music, dress, and culture of Norway, the "old country". This is a sampling of the culture.
The dress varied from region to region and the regional costumes are called bunader. See pictures at this web site. Deb Nelson Gourley of the Fillmore County Journal has written about the national costume.
From the mountains of Norway came the great fiddle music and fiddlers.
The great Norwegian-American story tellers told of the "little people".
Spring was the time of year that a Norwegian farm would send their livestock to a 'seter'. A 'seter' is a summer pasture, usually in the mountains. Do you want to stay at a seter in Telemark? Take a look at this website, complete with pictures and music.
The immigrants often came to America with brightly painted chests. The painting was rosemaling and the facination with this painting continues today.
The common means of travel in the old country was by skiis. Immigrants from Norway brought the sport of skiing to America, and some of the immigrants became legends.
Board Member Darrel E. Johnson has provided us with an interesting article on "the silversmith".
The church played a central role in pioneer life. The earliest churches in Norway were the stavkirker (Stave Church). Deb Nelson Gourley of the Fillmore County Journal has written a series of articles on Norwegian ancestry, including this one on Stavkirker. John Haugo has contributed a number of Church pictures to begin our collection of the churches of Norway.
Read about Christmas in Norway and pioneer America.
Many have wondered why did they leave Norway in the first place?
