# Norwegian-American Historical Association

Norwegian American Historical Association is a non-profit, member-supported organization dedicated to locating, collecting, preserving and interpreting the Norwegian-American experience. It publishes scholarly books and maintains a historical archive, documenting research and interpretations of the American experience of immigrants from Norway.

## History

The first meeting of the Norwegian American Historical Association took place on October 6, 1925, in Northfield, Minnesota. By February 4, 1926, the Norwegian American Historical Association was incorporated by the State of Minnesota. Since its founding, the independent non-profit organization has been located on the campus of St. Olaf College, in Northfield, Minnesota. Both institutions are independent entities.
The first executive board consisted of:
* D.G. Ristad, president
* Laurence M. Larson, vice-president
* O.E. Rølvaag, secretary and archivist
* O.M. Oleson, treasurer
* Birger Osland, assistant treasurer
* A.C. Floan
* Knut Gjerset
* Kristian Prestgard
* Theodore C. Blegen, editor

## Publications

Theodore C. Blegen served as managing editor for publications from 1925 until his retirement in 1960. His devotion to high standards of historical scholarship enabled the Norwegian American Historical Association to achieve a reputation as a learned society. Later editors have included Kenneth O. Bjork from 1960 until 1980 and Odd S. Lovoll from 1980 until 2001.
The association promotes Norwegian-American historical research and literary work; and helps maintain and develop archives of Norwegian-American historical material. Its Norwegian-American Studies (formerly Studies and Records) publications are available online. The current editor of NAHA's publications is Anna Peterson. The association has enjoyed success and gained the recognition and respect of an international scholarly community.
In fulfillment of its purpose, the association has published nearly one hundred books of scholarly merit; promoted Norwegian-American historical research and literary work and preserved of materials of historical significance.

## Archives

Ole E. Rolvaag, the author of Giants in the Earth, became the association's first secretary and archivist. Rølvaag initiated the collection of archives including letters, papers, books, periodicals, photographs, diaries and newspapers related to Norwegian-American life.

## References and notes

* ↑ Norwegian-American Studies publications available online (Norwegian-American Historical Association)
* ↑ "Norwegian American Historical Association Newsletter (No. 2)". 1935. p. 1.
* ↑ Certificate of Incorporation of the Norwegian-American Historical Association (Norwegian-American Historical Association. Volume I: Page 152)
* ↑ Lovoll, Odd (1975). The Norwegian-American Historical Association, 1925-1975. Norwegian-American Historical Association. p. 17.
* ↑ Theodore C. Blegen (Carlton C. Qualey, Norwegian-American Historical Association. Volume 21: Page 3)
* ↑ "Norwegian-American Studies". University of Minnesota Press. Retrieved 2020-06-05.
* ↑ "Luther Professor Anna Peterson named Norwegian-American Historical Association editor". Nordic Studies. Retrieved 2020-06-05.
* ↑ Norwegian-American Historical Association (Store norske leksikon)
* ↑ About Norwegian-American Historical Association – Archives (Norwegian-American Historic Association)
* ↑ The Norwegian-American Historical Association (D. G. Ristad, (Norwegian-American Historical Association, Volume I: Page 147)
* ↑ Ole Edvart Rølvaag ( John Heitmann. Norwegian-American Historical Association, Volume XII: Page 144)