Sons of Norway

The organization includes in its mission the promotion and preservation of the heritage and culture of Norway and other Nordic countries.

[4] The Minneapolis model quickly spread and by the end of 1900, some 12 lodges of the organization had been established in cities and towns with substantial Norwegian-American populations across the American Upper Midwest.

The two orders quarreled until they held a convention in Superior, Wisconsin in June 1909, and bridged their differences to merge the next year.

[6] The organization published an official monthly magazine, Sønner av Norge (Sons of Norway), which kept members abreast of activities of the group.

[4] Other activities included regular lectures on historical, cultural, and literary topics; essay and speech contests for students; and organized festivities for various national Norwegian holidays.

In December 1938, the Sons of Norway absorbed the American auxiliary of The Knights of the White Cross Order (Riddere av Det Hvite Kors), which had been founded in Chicago in 1863.

In the 2000s, Sons of Norway continued to make an effort to build on the traditions of the past while at the same time focusing on modern Norwegian–American lives.

[7] 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.

Here are the locations of recent international conventions: Some of the Sons of Norway's buildings are historic and/or are otherwise notable, including: