Browse Exhibits (2 total)

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  Norgesbrev Project

  In 2023, the Norwegian Institute of Local History, a division of the National Library of Norway, launched a collaborative project to commemorate the bicentennial of Norwegian migration. In collaboration with NAHA, they began to digitize and translate over 1,000 Norgesbrev, or letters from Norway, to America. The project, while not yet complete, represents a major milestone in the preservation of this important source of Norwegian American history.

  The origins of the project began as early as 1993, when the Norwegian Institute of Local History began collecting Norgesbrev. The project started at a time when these letters were relatively unknown, in contrast to Amerikabrev, or letters from America, which had long been recognized as a key resource in migration history.

  The project aimed to provide access to the letters as original local history documents. These letters offer distinct perspectives on Norwegian local events and circumstances. The collection also offers insights into the development of writing skills among local populations from the mid-19th to mid-20th centuries. In addition, the letters provide evidence for how American culture and public opinion were absorbed into Norwegian society.

  Organizing the collection was a time-intensive task. The institute's staff reached out to numerous organizations, associations, museums, and universities across the United States, with particularly fruitful collaboration with NAHA. By 2000, the project had amassed over 3,000 letters. Some of these letters were transcribed and published in the book Brev hjemmefra: Brev fra Norge til utvandrere 1840–1960 (Letters from Home: Letters from Norway to Emigrants),  edited by Else Braut and Randi Holden Hoff (1997).

  The first phase of the project focused on NAHA digitizing the letters to modern archival standards, followed by transcription in Norway with the assistance of AI technology and volunteers. To date, NAHA has digitized nearly 4,000 pages of letters as part of this ongoing effort. The efforts have resulted in more than 40 NAHA archival collections included within the project.

  This project was made possible at NAHA through the work of Kristina Warner, archivist; Dale Hovland, volunteer; and Otelia Lighthill, student employee. National Library of Norway staff include Chris Nyborg, Ola Alsvik, Marthe Hommerstad, Marianne Wiig, Martin Fredriksen, and Aslak Kittelsen.

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  World War II Digitization Project

  Preserving Stories of Norwegian-American Relief During WWII

  You may have heard that our National Endowment for the Humanities grant was rescinded due to federal budget cuts. This grant was meant to digitize five World War II collections documenting how Norwegian Americans came together to support family and friends in occupied Norway—stories of courage, community, and resilience that deserve to be shared.

  These collections also highlight a broader story: how immigrant communities in the United States organized aid for their homelands in times of crisis. NAHA is actively seeking new funding to continue this important work, and we are grateful to everyone who has supported us along the way.

  On a bright note, we received a Minnesota Legacy Grant to digitize portions of the Jacob Stefferud Papers and the American Relief for Norway, Inc. Papers focusing on Minnesota activities, helping preserve these vital historical materials for the public.

  Explore the collections and see these stories come to life as we work to make them accessible to all.