Browse Items (3064 total)

• Oral History

  Oral interview with Harald Riise and Fred F. Poyner IV, Leavenworth, Washington, 2021 June 6

  This interview includes additional commentary from JoAnne Eriksen. Much of the discussion centers on reviewing materials for the book and Harald’s life as an immigrant from Norway to the Pacific Northwest in 1955. Harald passed away a few months after this recording. The session was recorded in Leavenworth, Washington.
  
  Topics discussed include:
  

  • Henry Svasand (Swasand) and his travels between the U.S. and Norway during the 1950s
  • Knute Svasand (grandfather of Cary Swasand)
  • Henry Svasand’s work in boatbuilding, as well as his singing and diving activities in Norway
  • Harald’s ski jumping in Norway
  • Henry ice skating on frozen lakes in Norway
  • Homemade boots in Norway
  • The Swasand family cabin at Jodelin, Stevens Pass, WA
  • Hay harvesting and daily life in Strandebarm, Hardanger, Norway
  • The Queensgate housing development and subdivisions in Bothell, WA (1967–early 1970s)
  • Labor challenges faced by Henry and Harald in construction projects
  • The family’s collaborative work on building projects
  • Financing for the first Aleutian Spray Fisheries vessel, Aleutian Spray (1969)
  • Construction of a pleasure boat in Ballard (Seattle) by Henry Svasand (1970)
  • The family’s immigration to the U.S. via trans-Atlantic passage on the Oslofjord (1957)
  • Henry’s boat design work in Seattle, WA
  • Alpenblick Apartments in Leavenworth, WA
  • Bergen Technical Institute, Norway
  • Harald’s service in the U.S. Merchant Marine during World War II
• Oral History

  Oral interview with Robert Lord and Fred F. Poyner IV, 2021 April 27

  Recorded by Fred Poyner IV. The session includes extensive details on the Starfish, the first Aleutian Spray Fisheries vessel to be lengthened (stretched/extended). Additional topics discussed include: the Starlite; the Starward; Dakota Creek Industries in Anacortes, WA, during the 1980s; king crabbing; trawling; the MARCO shipyard in Seattle and aspects of hull design, framing, and construction; Aleutian Spray Fisheries; the role of a “Shipyard Competent Person”; hotwork welding practices in shipyards; Henry Svasand piloting his yacht to Dakota Creek Industries; stern ramps used in fishing boat conversions such as the Morning Star; and joint fishing ventures.
• Oral History

  Oral interview with Cary Swasand and Fred F. Poyner IV, Medina, Washington, 2021 August 2

  This session focused on reviewing historical photographs for the book with Cary. Topics discussed included: the Aleutian Spray; Starward; king crabbing in Alaska; Starfish; Borge Mannes; Arctic Sea; Nordic Sea; Bering Sea; Bari Ohi (partner in Starlite and Starbound); Unisea; Trident Company (partnership); financing for Aleutian Spray Fisheries; Harald Riise; and the Bountiful.
• Oral History

  Oral interview with Cary Swasand and Fred F. Poyner IV, Aleutian Spray Fisheries Headquarters, Seattle, Washington, 2021 October 14

  Topics discussed include Cary’s early childhood in Norway; his father, Henry Svasand, and his boatbuilding work in Norway; the EPOS library boat; the Victoria Clipper line; aluminum boatbuilding; and crab harvests in Alaska, including king crab (1980 and 2021) and Opilio crab (2021).
• Oral History

  Oral interview with Cary Swasand and Fred F. Poyner IV, Bellevue, Washington, 2021 August 2

  Topics include ASF vessels such as the Aleutian Spray, Starfish, Starlite, Starward, and Starbound. The discussion also touches on business partnerships with Chel Forttoft and Borge Mannes in connection with the Aleutian Spray, ASF’s first fishing vessel. Additional subjects include Cary’s early work in housebuilding with his father, Henry Svasand; his career at Boeing as a naval architect; and his role as a designer on a hydrofoil project in the 1970s. This recording was made at Cary Swasand’s home in the Medina neighborhood of Bellevue.
• Oral History

  Oral interview with Cary Swasand and Fred F. Poyner IV, Aleutian Spray Fisheries Headquarters, Seattle, Washington, 2021 April 28

  The speakers are Fred Poyner IV and Cary Swasand, with additional commentary from Cary’s sisters, JoAnne Eriksen and Svane Swasand-Castner. The discussion covers topics such as Dakota Creek Shipyard, Henry Svasand’s boatbuilding in Norway, Harald Riise, Trident Seafoods, ASF boats in Alaska, as well as family recollections and history.
• Olga og John Bjerke: Deres liv i ord og bilder, 2023

  Book authored by Anne Dahl, retired Dean of an elementary school in Gjøvik, Norway. Written in Norwegian, the work documents the history of the Dahl family over three to four generations, focusing on the lives of the author’s grandparents. The book includes narrative accounts and photographs chronicling their childhoods in Norway, emigration to Minnesota, life in the United States, and eventual return to Norway. It also provides genealogical details on ancestors, siblings, children, and grandchildren, with attention to education, professions, and daily life. 

• Hidden Heroes: World War II in Norway, 2016

  You never knew if the person next door was a hero; a Norwegian resistance fighter. The hero next door could be a teenager going with his dad to steal grain from a Nazi train, in order to feed refugees. It could be a girl who hid underground messages in her instrument case, while going by bike to a violin lesson. It could be the fisherman down the street, rowing a boat full of grenades, with a German U-boat captain sitting on the seat which was hiding them. Many Norwegians risked their lives to thwart the Nazis who were occupying their country. These are their true stories. These twenty eyewitness accounts were originally collected from Sons of Norway members by District 5 Cultural Director, Jean Bittner. We hope these accounts help you remember the acts of bravery that everyday heroes made in Norway during World War II.
• Iets Besonders!, 2000

  Book "Iets Besonders!" by Karen J. Costello. 
  
  An account, told through contemporary letters, journal entries, genealogical charts, and portraits, of how the author's great-uncle emigrated to South Africa from Norway, and of two recent visits the author has made to her South African relatives. The author is the granddaughter of a member of the Birkeland family who emigrated to Minnesota from Norway.
• 
  Joanne Englund papers, circa 1890-2023

  Biography/History: 
  Joanne Alfreda (Wickoren) Englund (1930-2025) was born in St. Paul, Minnesota, to Alfred and Audrey Sands Wickoren. Throughout her life, Joanne was deeply connected to St. Paul. She dedicated her life to service, advocacy, and community engagement. A deep commitment to public service and social betterment defined her professional journey. She worked for the City of Saint Paul across several departments, including Model Cities, Planning and Economic Development (PED), and Public Works. 

  Joanne also held numerous leadership positions. She served as the past president of the League of Women Voters in both Saint Paul and Shoreview. She also led the Ramsey County Historical Society and the Council of Independent Professional Consultants. A proud graduate of Metropolitan State University (Class of 1974), Joanne later served on its board, contributing to the institution that had played a formative role in her own education.

  Scope and Content: 
  Personal and family papers, photographs, and correspondence regarding the Wickoren family of St. Paul, Minnesota. Includes numerous extended family photographs.
  
  Location:
  20/C/4-5