Sons of Norway, Leif Erikson Lodge No. 1 records, 1903-2015

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Sons of Norway (U.S.). Leif Erikson Lodge No. 1 (Seattle, Wash.)
Title
Sons of Norway, Leif Erikson Lodge No. 1 records
Dates
1903-2015 (inclusive)
Quantity
14.33 cubic feet (22 boxes plus 1 oversize folder)
Collection Number
3875 (Accession No. 3875-001)
Summary
Organizational records of the Seattle Norwegian fraternal society and the Leikarringen, a lodge-sponsored folk dance group.
Repository
University of Washington Libraries, Special Collections
Special Collections
University of Washington Libraries
Box 352900
Seattle, WA
98195-2900
Telephone: 2065431929
Fax: 2065431931
speccoll@uw.edu
Access Restrictions

Open to all users.

Languages
English, Norwegian

Historical NoteReturn to Top

The Sons of Norway is a Norwegian-American fraternal organization founded to promote, preserve, and cherish a lasting appreciation of the heritage and culture of Norway and other Nordic countries. The first meeting of the Leif Erikson Lodge No. 1 of the Grand Lodge of the Sons of Norway of the Pacific Coast was held in Seattle, Washington on May 13, 1903. It was the first of many lodges in the Grand Lodge of the Sons of Norway of the Pacific Coast. The Leif Erickson Lodge has actively supported the Leikarringen, a Seattle Norwegian folk dance group for adults, established in 1960. Since 1981, Leikarringen has sponsored Norsk Folkedans Stemne, a Norwegian folk dance gathering.

Over its history, the Lodge built three headquarters: Norway Hall, on Boren Avenue, now a Seattle landmark; Norway Center, at 300 3rd Ave West in Seattle, that was bought by The Mountaineers and later demolished; and the present Leif Erikson Hall in Ballard.

Content DescriptionReturn to Top

Meeting minutes, reports, financial records, correspondence, programs, ephemera, performance records, membership rosters and directories, newsletters, newsclippings, photographs, guestbook, and scrapbooks related to The Sons of Norway, Leif Erikson Lodge No. 1 and related organizations such as the Valkyrien Lodge No. 1, Leikarringen, Norse Home, Norwegian Commerical Club, Nordmann's Forbundet, Pacific Coast Sogna-Lag, Leif Erickson Drill Team, Norwegian Male Chorus of Seattle, Romsdalslaget, and Vestkysten's Nordmorslag Romsdalslag. Two of the series are related to the Lodge headquarters first at Norway Hall and then at the Norway Center.

Use of the CollectionReturn to Top

Restrictions on Use

Literary rights of representatives of the records-creating organization transferred to the University of Washington Libraries.

Administrative InformationReturn to Top

Arrangement

Arranged in 5 series.

  • Series 1, Sons of Norway, Leif Erikson Lodge No. 1, 1915-2015
  • Series 2, Related Norwegian Organizations, 1924-2012
  • Series 3, Norway Hall, 1911-1949
  • Series 4, The Norway Center, 1929, 1948-1984
  • Series 5, Leikarringen Records, 1960-2004

Acquisition Information

The majority of materials donated by Christine Anderson, 1995-2016. Exceptions noted at the item level in inventory.

Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top

 

Series 1:  Sons of Norway, Leif Erikson Lodge No. 1, 1915-2015Return to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box
1
Scrapbook about Leif Erikson Lodge
Scrapbook prepared by the lodge historian, Jeanne Whiting, for its 75th anniversary in May 1978.
Received from the Sons of Norway, Leif Erikson Lodge, January 1, 1987.
1903-1978
2
Membership Directories including a historical account of the lodge, its halls, and its activities
1999-2015
2
Membership Cards
1945-1955
2
Articles of Incorporation and Amendments
1911-1914
2
Miscellaneous Pamphlets and Ephemera
1917-1983
2
Photographs
1903-1936
2
Meeting Minutes
1936-2011
22
Sons of Norway Building committee
1909-1911
22
Sons of Norway (Leif Erikson Lodge No. 1) and Daughters of Norway (Valkyrien Lodge No. 1) indentures, warranty deeds, and insurance documents
1911-1939
folder:oversize
Oversize folder
Membership Photograph
1914

Series 2:  Related Norwegian Organizations, 1924-2012Return to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box
2
Norse Home Records
1944
4
Nordmann's Forbundet - Constitution and Bylaws
1969
4
Norwegian Commerical Club - Membership Rosters
1992-1996
4
Pacific Coast Sogna-Lag - Jubilee Programs
1962
4
Leif Erickson Drill Team - Meeting Minutes
1931-1952
4
Norwegian Male Chorus of Seattle - Anniversary Program
1979
4
Romsdalslaget - Records
1924-1999
4
Romsdalslaget - Membership Directory
1953-1975
4
Vestkysten's Nordmorslag Romsdalslag - Reading File (Bylaws and Correspondence)
1988-1999
4
Vestkysten's Nordmorslag Romsdalslag - Reading File (Donation Records)
2000-2011
4
Vestkysten's Nordmorslag Romsdalslag - Bylaws and Amendments
2000-2003
4
Vestkysten's Nordmorslag Romsdalslag - Member List
1999
4
Vestkysten's Nordmorslag Romsdalslag - Newsclippings
1996-2012
4
Vestkysten's Nordmorslag Romsdalslag - Ledger
1955-1994
5
Vestkysten's Nordmorslag Romsdalslag - Scrapbook
1936-1983
5
Vestkysten's Nordmorslag Romsdalslag
1986-1995
6
Vestkysten's Nordmorslag Romsdalslag
1996-1998

Series 3:  Norway Hall, 1911-1949Return to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box
22
Correspondence
1911-1949
22
Contract of sale
1948
22
Legal documents and financial reports
1938; 1947-1949
22
Building committee, journal and cash book
1914-1942
22
Building committee, minutes and receipts
1932-1938
22
Building committee, minutes and receipts
1938-1948
22
Postcard
undated

Series 4:  The Norway Center, 1929, 1948-1984Return to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box
7
Correspondence
1971-1983
7
Contracts and Legal Records
1948-1949
7
Incorporation Papers and Bylaws
1972-1978
7
Meeting Minutes, Financial Records, and Reports
1951-1984
5
Minute Book
1948-1951
7
Photograph Negatives
undated
7
Newsclippings
1979
7
Guestbook
1951-1978
Box/Folder
22/1
Cornerstone capsule contents
The time capsule was found in April 2009 when the former Mountaineers building at Third Avenue West was demolished. This site formerly housed the Norway Center. The time capsule was given to the Leif Erikson Lodge and was opened on June 7, 2009.
  • Cornerstone laying ceremony program, 1950
  • 1950 Year Book for Leif Erikson Lodge No. 1 and other Norweigian organizations in the Seattle area
  • History of Knute Rockne Lodge No. 12, 1950
  • History of Leif Erikson Lodge No. 1 and Valkyrien Lodge No. 1, 1950
  • Norweigian Male Chorus of Seattle programs, constitution and historical notes, 1939-1950
  • Letter to Frode Frodesen on being appointed building committee member, 1929
1929-1950
Folder
Oversize folder
Cornerstone capsule contents
  • Newspaper issue, Døtre av Norge, 1950
  • Newsletter issue, The Viking, 1950
  • Newspaper issue, The Seattle Daily Times, December 29, 1950
  • Newspaper issue Washington Posten, December 29, 1950
  • Newspaper issue, The Seattle Times, December 29, 1950
  • Newspaper issue, The Seattle Post-Intelligencer, December 29, 1950
  • Newspaper issue, Scandinavian American, December 21, 1950
1950
folder:oversize
Oversize folder
Norway Center Drawings
1950

Series 5:  Leikarringen Records, 1960-2004Return to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box
8
Meeting Minutes, Reports, Correspondence and Financial Ledgers
1960-1988
9
Meeting Minutes, Reports, Correspondence, Member Lists, Newsletters, and E-News
1960-2004
9
Performance Records
1980-1984
10
Scrapbook containing photographs, publicity materials, and other items related to Leikarringen
1960-1969
11
Scrapbook containing photographs, publicity materials, and other items related to Leikarringen
1970-1979
12
Scrapbook containing photographs, publicity materials, and other items related to Leikarringen
1980-1981
13
Scrapbook containing photographs, publicity materials, and other items related to Leikarringen
1982-1983
14
Scrapbook containing photographs, publicity materials, and other items related to Leikarringen
1984-1985
15
Scrapbook containing photographs, publicity materials, and other items related to Leikarringen
1986-1988
16
Scrapbook containing photographs, publicity materials, and other items related to Leikarringen
1989-1990
17
Scrapbook containing photographs, publicity materials, and other items related to Leikarringen
1991
18
Scrapbook containing photographs, publicity materials, and other items related to Leikarringen
1992-1993
19
Scrapbook containing photographs, publicity materials, and other items related to Leikarringen
1994-1995
20
Scrapbook containing photographs, publicity materials, and other items related to Leikarringen
1995-1997
21
Scrapbook containing photographs, publicity materials, and other items related to Leikarringen
1998-1999
folder:oversize
Oversize folder
"Hardangerringen" Poster
1983

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Folk dancing--Washington (State)--Seattle
  • Fraternal organizations--Washington (State)--Seattle
  • Norwegian Americans--Washington (State)--Seattle
  • Personal Papers/Corporate Records (University of Washington)

Corporate Names

  • Sons of Norway (U.S.). Leif Erikson Lodge No. 1 (Seattle, Wash.)--Archives
  • Sons of Norway (U.S.). Leif Erikson Lodge No. 1 (Seattle, Wash.)--Buildings
  • Sons of Norway (U.S.). Leif Erikson Lodge No. 1 (Seattle, Wash.)--Finance
  • Sons of Norway (U.S.). Leif Erikson Lodge No. 1 (Seattle, Wash.)--Membership
  • University of Washington. Libraries. Scandinavian Archives