NAHA financial records, 1925-2013

Biography/History: 
The Norwegian-American Historical Association (NAHA) was founded on October 6, 1925, in the wake of the Norse-American Centennial—a four-day celebration that became a pivotal moment of cultural identity building, balancing pride in Norwegian heritage with a growing American identity. From its inception, NAHA has been headquartered at St. Olaf College, where it remains today. Now a century old, this independent, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization is supported by more than 1,000 members from across the United States, Canada, and Norway.

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.

Scope and Content: 
Financial records 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). 

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 Kristina Warner.