Sons of Norway Supreme Lodge

Record group

Sons of Norway Supreme Lodge

• 1903-2011 (Creation)

Correspondence, directories, calendars, etc., dealing with the history of the Sons of Norway. During a depression which began in 1893, 18 Norwegian immigrants living in Minneapolis created a fraternal organization as a mutual assistance society built on the moral principles of American fraternalism and based on a group assistance plan from Trondheim. The name “Sønner av Norge” was settled upon and the formal inception of the organization was completed on 16 January 1895. In 1903 a similar organization was founded in the Pacific Northwest, the Grand Lodge of the Sons of Norway of the Pacific Coast, and on 9 July 1910, the two organizations merged to become a nationwide organization with two districts.The mission of the Sons of Norway is to promote and preserve the heritage and culture of Norway, to celebrate its relationship with other Nordic countries, and to provide quality insurance and financial products to its members.

By the 1870s, Minneapolis, Minnesota had a very active nucleus of Norwegian emigrants, many of whom had come from the Trondheim area and settled in the northern part of the city. During a depression which began in 1893, 18 Norwegian immigrants living in Minneapolis created a fraternal organization as a mutual assistance society built on the moral principles of American fraternalism and based on a group assistance plan from Trondheim. The members of this assistance plan would pay a small amount each week and in return would receive free medical care for themselves and their families. The name “Sønner av Norge” was settled upon and the formal inception of the organization was completed on 16 January 1895. The Sons of Norway provided not only security against financial crises and a forum to celebrate their new nationalism, but it also served to preserve the literature, music and art which formed such a large part of the members’ Norwegian heritage.To qualify for membership, 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, and between the ages of 20 and 50. In 1903 a similar organization was founded in the Pacific Northwest, the Grand Lodge of the Sons of Norway of the Pacific Coast, and on 9 July 1910, the two organizations merged to become a nationwide organization with two districts. Today, the Sons of Norway has a total of 8 regional districts and membership in the United States, Canada, and Norway. The mission of the Sons of Norway is to promote and preserve the heritage and culture of Norway, to celebrate its relationship with other Nordic countries, and to provide quality insurance and financial products to its members. The organization provides opportunities for members to familiarize themselves with the culture and traditions of Norway through local lodge and district lodge activities and events.

• Alphanumeric designations: MSS 271