NAHA’s founders were driven by a desire to move beyond the sentimental myths and hero-worship of early immigrant narratives. They sought instead a more rigorous, scholarly approach to preserving and interpreting the Norwegian-American experience. Their vision gave rise to a remarkable archive, dedicated to capturing and protecting the lived stories of Norwegian immigrants. Among NAHA’s early leaders were influential figures such as novelist and professor O.E. Rølvaag, historian Knut Gjerset, journalist Kristian Prestgard, and academic Laurence Larson.

Central to NAHA’s mission was American historian Theodore Blegen, who became the founding editor of the Association’s publications. Blegen championed what he called a "grass-roots" approach to history—an emphasis on the everyday lives and voices of immigrants. Rather than spotlighting only the extraordinary, he focused on letters, diaries, and other primary sources to capture the experiences of ordinary men and women navigating the challenges of migration and settlement.

Since 1926, NAHA has published Norwegian-American Studies, a scholarly journal now produced in partnership with the University of Minnesota Press. The journal, along with NAHA’s robust book publishing program, highlights research in fields such as history, literature, religion, art, and cultural studies. The organization has also played a vital role in amplifying women’s ethnic history, publishing works by and about immigrant women like Aagot Raaen, Gro Svendsen, Elisabeth Koren, and Elise Waerenskjold. 

Since NAHA’s founding, many individuals have served in the role of secretary. Among the most notable were O.E. Rølvaag (1925–1931), J. Jørgen Thompson (1931–1959), and Lloyd Hustvedt (1959–1999). In 1931, the responsibilities of the financial secretary were consolidated into the secretary position. Following Hustvedt’s long tenure, the title and structure of the role began to evolve. Others who carried out similar duties in the years that followed include Ruth Crane, Kim Holland, and Jackie Henry. Today, the position no longer exists in its earlier form, and NAHA is now led by an Executive Director.

Scope and Content: 
Records of the secretary of the Norwegian-American Historical Association. Related collections in the NAHA Institutional Records include: Publication Records (P1000), Secretary Records (P1001), Financial Records (P1002), and Archivist Records (P1003).

Arrangement: 
Series I: Correspondence and General Records
Series II: General NAHA Records
Series III: Executive Board Records and Correspondence
Series IV: Archives Contribution and Correspondence

Funding:
Funding to rehouse and describe the NAHA institutional records provided to the Norwegian American Historical Association through the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund, a component of the Minnesota Clean Water, Land and Legacy constitutional amendment, ratified by Minnesota voters in 2008.

Processing Information:
Collection processed and described by Patrick Hagerty and Kristina Warner.