National Ski Association of America, 1892-2002

Biography/History: 
The National Ski Association was organized in 1904 at Ishpeming by Carl Tollefsen, Askel Holter, Erick Hoyseth, Ole G. Aas, Albert Aas, and George A. Newest. Carl Tellefson, considered the “Father of Ski Sport in America,” was the group's first president, and Aksel Holter was the first secretary. Holter also served as editor of one of the first periodicals for skiers, the National Ski Association's member journal The Skisport. The charter members of the National Ski Association included the Aurora Ski Club (Red Wing), St. Paul Ski Club (Minnesota), Stoughton Ski Club (Wisconsin), Grand Rapids Ski Club (Michigan), and Ishpeming Ski Club (Michigan). 

By 1925, the interest in the organization had become so great that it needed to be split into six divisions. These divisions included the Eastern Ski Association, Central Ski Association, Western Ski Association, Arrowhead Ski Association, California Ski Association, and the Pacific Northwestern Ski Association. All six of these divisions were governed by the National Ski Association. Outside of this organization, the national organization had affiliations with the International Federation De Ski, and various other ski, Olympic, and recreation organizations.

Scope and Content: 
Miscellaneous materials about the Association (founded in 1904) and about Norwegian-American participation in the introduction and promotion of the "ski sport" in America generally.