Sons of Norway (), founded in 1895 as the Independent Order of the Sons of Norway, is a fraternal organization principally representing people of Norwegian heritage in the United States and Canada. The organization includes in its mission the promotion and preservation of the heritage and culture of Norway and other Nordic countries. It also sells life insurance and other financial products to its members. The organization is classified as a non-profit 501(c)(8) fraternal beneficiary society.

In the early 21st century, the Sons of Norway has nearly 400 lodges in the United States, Canada, and Norway. With more than 57,000 members, the Sons of Norway is the largest Norwegian organization outside of Norway.

History

Establishment

thumb|right|240px|Vintage Sons of Norway lapel pins worn by members.

The Sons of Norway was founded as the Independent Order of the Sons of Norway. The organization was founded by 18 members on January 16, 1895, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, to insure each other when they were unable to secure life insurance on their own. Norwegian immigrants were still getting established in the United States, and were numerous in this city. Membership was originally open to males of Norwegian descent between the ages of 20 and 50 who were capable of giving proof of being morally upright, in good health, and capable of supporting a family.

A second lodge was established in South Minneapolis in 1899 and a third was founded in the northeastern section of the city in 1900. The Minneapolis model quickly spread and by the end of 1900, some 12 lodges of the organization had been established in cities and towns with substantial Norwegian-American populations across the American Upper Midwest.

From its origins in Minnesota, the organization spread to both coasts.

By the time of the outbreak of World War I in 1914, the Sons of Norway claimed a membership of about 12,000.

The organization published an official monthly magazine, Sønner av Norge (Sons of Norway), which kept members abreast of activities of the group.

Daughters of Norway

Women were admitted to local groups as early as 1916, in areas where the female auxiliary was unorganized. Daughters of Norway lodges in the Midwest were merged with the Sons of Norway in 1950, and a system of junior lodges was created in 1956. The Grand Lodge of the Daughters of Norway, which dates to 1908, continues as a separate association.

Organization today

thumb|right|250 px|Sons of Norway Building in Minneapolis, Minnesota

The organization slowly expanded across the United States and includes lodges in Canada and Norway. In the 2000s, Sons of Norway continued to make an effort to build on the traditions of the past while at the same time focusing on modern Norwegian–American lives.

Membership

Membership is open to everyone with an interest in Norwegian or Norwegian–American culture. Currently, the Sons of Norway has nearly 400 lodges in the United States, Canada and Norway.

  • 2018 – 65th Sons of Norway International Convention, Minneapolis, Minnesota
  • 2016 – 64th Sons of Norway International Convention, Tacoma, Washington
  • 2014 – 63rd Sons of Norway International Convention, Jacksonville, Florida
  • 2012 – 62nd Sons of Norway International Convention, Fargo, North Dakota
  • 2010 – 61st Sons of Norway International Convention, Coeur d'Alene, Idaho
  • 2008 – 60th Sons of Norway International Convention, San Diego, California
  • 2006 – 59th Sons of Norway International Convention. Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
  • 2004 – 58th Sons of Norway International Convention, Washington D.C.
  • 2002 – 57th Sons of Norway International Convention, Madison, Wisconsin
  • 2000 – 56th Sons of Norway International Convention, Stavanger, Norway
  • 1998 – 55th Sons of Norway International Convention, Anaheim, California
  • 1996 – 54th Sons of Norway International Convention, unknown
  • 1994 – 53rd Sons of Norway International Convention, Saint Paul, Minnesota
  • 1992 – 52nd Sons of Norway International Convention, Lillehammer, Norway

Notable buildings<!--- this section title is target of redirect List of Sons of Norway buildings so pls. don't rename lightly --->

Some of the Sons of Norway's buildings are historic and/or are otherwise notable, including:

  • Sons of Norway Building, 1455 W Lake St, Minneapolis, Minnesota The building was opened in 1962. In 2017, the building and surrounding two-acre land was sold to developers, who will demolish it in order to develop the city block for a multi-use project. The organization will move back in as an anchor tenant once the new project is complete.
  • Sons of Norway Hall, Petersburg, Alaska, built 1912, listed on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP)
  • Sons of Norway building of Minot, North Dakota, built 1915, a contributing building in the NRHP-listed Minot Commercial Historic District

Footnotes