Sons of Norway Nor-Deka Lodge No. 518

Collection

Identifier: RHC-RC-319

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The records for the Sons of Norway, Nor-Deka Lodge No. 518 consists of seven scrapbooks as well as records of group activities and events. The records date from 1972-1992. Records include lists of officers and members, correspondence, group newsletters, newspaper clippings and Norwegian research and songs. Records such as meeting minutes for specific years and treasurer notes are not included. The seven scrapbooks include photographs, programs and newspaper clippings of group activities from 1972-1987. The scrapbooks include photographs from the Sons of Norway conventions in North Dakota and Wisconsin. One is dedicated to the King Olav of Norway’s visit to the northern Illinois area in 1975. Other scrapbooks include photographs of welcoming new members and Norwegian heritage celebrations.

Dates

created: 1972-1992
Other: Majority of material found in 1972-1992
Other: Date acquired: 04/05/2012

Conditions Governing Access

There are no restrictions on access to the collection.

Conditions Governing Use

Property rights in the collection belong to the Regional History Center; literary rights are dedicated to the public.

Biographical or Historical Information

In 1971, George Strand, Fifth District Director from Polar Star Lodge in Aurora, aroused interest in Norwegians in the DeKalb and Lee areas to start a Sons of Norway lodge. On February 7, 1972 Nor-Deka Lodge was chartered with 300 members, some transferring from Rockford and Aurora lodges. They elected Howard Grundy as their president. The name “Nor-Deka” came from combining the words “Norwegian” and “DeKalb”. In1972 many members were from Lee, Illinois but DeKalb continued to have the largest membership. Nor-Deka supported several projects, including the Matching Fund Scholarship program for Fifth District Heritage Camp. The scholarship helped to send one or more young people to the camp each year. The lodge also continued to interested youth in Lodge activities by their participation in the annual Syttende Mai Queen and court selection. During the year the queen led the Pledge of Allegiance at meetings, and participated in important lodge events. Another lodge project was the dressing of an authentic Bunad costumed doll which represented an area of Norway. A raffle of the doll was held at an important event, such as the Christmas party or Syttende Mai banquet. For twelve years one of the members served on the Fifth District Board. Cultural Director Audrey Soli instigated the idea for a Bunad Show at Fifth District conventions and supervised the two held at Muskegon and LaCrosse. In 1987, the lodge provided the only "Ethnic Flair" in the Sesquicentennial Ball held at Northern Illinois University commemorating 150 years of settlement and growth of DeKalb County history.

Note written by

Extent

2.25 Linear Feet

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Source of Acquisition

Clairan Wistar and Gary Melby

Method of Acquisition

Clairan Wistar of Gilberts, Illinois and Gary Melby of South Beloit, Illinois donated the records for the Sons of Norway, Nor-Deka Lodge No. 518 to the Northern Illinois Regional History Center on April 5 and November 7, 2012.