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Oral History

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

Title
Oral interview with Harald Riise and Fred F. Poyner IV, Leavenworth, Washington, 2021 June 6
Identifier
2023001_oralhistory_6
Date
2021 June 6
Description
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
Extent
00:39:52
Language
English
Contributor
Riise, Harald
Type
Oral history
Format
WAV
MP3
PDF
Access Rights
Oral history is restricted until 2030.
Is Part Of
Fred F. Poyner IV Collection (NAHA 2023/001)
Bibliographic Citation
[Indicate the cited item here]. Fred F. Poyner IV Collection. Norwegian American Historical Association, Northfield, Minnesota.

Collection

Oral Histories

Citation

Poyner, Fred F., IV, 1969-, “Oral interview with Harald Riise and Fred F. Poyner IV, Leavenworth, Washington, 2021 June 6,” Norwegian American Historical Association, accessed October 16, 2026, https://norwegianamericanhistory.org/catalog/items/show/12789.

Item Relations

This Item dcterms:isPartOf Item: Fred F. Poyner IV collection, 2017-2023