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1921 Hadeland Stevne
Da Hadelandslaget kom til Norge
(The Hadeland Lag Comes to Norway)
The
original article appeared in the first issue of the Brua in the fall of
1921. It was translated and republished in the August 2010 Brua.
220 visiting Americans arrived on the Wilson Line steamship “Rollo” at
6:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 14, 1921.
At 9:00
Nordsmanns Forbundet president F. G. Gade officially welcomed
them to Oslo and to Norway.
Thomas A. Walby responded with thanks.
They then sang three songs:
“Ja, vi elsker dette landet,” “Gud Signe
Norigs Land,” and “My country, ‘tis of thee.”
Each of the visitors was given a map of Oslo, together with a
printed program of the planned activities for later that day.
Then they were transported to their various hotels.
At 12:30 p.m. the Americans assembled at the Historical Museum at the
University of Oslo where Conservator Gjessing welcomed them and showed
them the Oseberg Viking Burial Ship and the rich contents of that 1904
historic find. He reviewed
Norway’s cultural history from the Viking Age to their present time.
The large group traveled to the Akershus Fortress where Chief
Architect Sinding-Larsen spoke to them about the long history of the
Fortress. They then toured
the fortress and concluded their visit there with a short organ recital
in the chapel of the Fortress.
At 5:00 p.m. they were given a tour of the then western suburb of
Majorstuen on their way to the Holmenkollen Ski Jump and Museum where
they enjoyed an interesting tour.
At the conclusion of the day, Pastor Kolstø from Plummer,
Minnesota thanked the
Nordmanns
Forbundet for the hearty welcome that the visiting
bygdelag
members had experienced. Dr.
Gade closed the day’s visit with the wish that all the visitors would
have a wonderful time during their visits in Norway.
That evening some of the Americans continued on their way to the
various districts from which they had emigrated many years earlier.
Others decided to remain in Oslo to celebrate the 17th
of May the following Tuesday.
Thomas A. Walby traveled on to Hadeland that evening.
June 23, 1921 – Norwegian-American Day in Hadeland
2,000 people gathered on Halvdanshaugen at the
Hadeland
Folkemuseum
Norwegian-American Day in Hadeland will be a special day that happens
very infrequently and that will not be forgotten for a long time by both
the Hadelanders from America and the people from the home community.
It was a wonderful day from the beginning to the end.
The community was bathed in the wonder of St. Hans’ sunny
splendor and the flags waved over everyone in the light breeze.
The day seemed to be created for a celebration and the
celebration was both in tnature and in the minds of the people.
The day began with a worship service in the Gran Church, which was
beautifully decorated for the occasion with Norwegian and American
flags, leaves and flowers in the high summer season’s most attractive
colors. The Women’s
Committee who had been in charge of decorating the old beautiful church
had transformed it in a very deserving manner.
One became in tune with the festive church holiday immediately as
one stepped through the door and heard Pastor Olssen’s moving sermon,
the beautiful organ music, the melodious singing under the church’s high
arch, together with the wonderful combination of the sun’s rays, the
colorful leaves and flowers – all created a very moving effect.
The church filled to overflowing with people and many had to remain
outside when they couldn’t come in.
The church service was festive from first to last and gave much
honor to Gran’s remarkable parish pastor.
After the church service the Americans visited the
Steinhus located next to the Gran
Parsonage while the Hadeland Glasswork’s Band played outdoors, where the
remaining people were gathered.
By 1:30 p.m. the Hadelanders from America gathered with some local
people, about 60 in all, for lunch at
Gregersstuen at Granvolden.
To the tune of “Ja,
vi elsker” they were welcomed to the tables and to Chef
Schou’s remarkable menu which awaited the attention of the guests.
Sheriff Hvamstad wished everyone welcome and told about how happy the
Gran community was to have the Hadelanders from America as their guests.
Chairman of the Hadeland Lag, T. A. Walby thanked them.
Pastor Olsson introduced
Nordmanns
Forbundet President Medical Dr. Gade, who acknowledged with a
lively talk everything that was being done by all to give the
Norwegian-Americans a hearty welcome.
Chairman of the Welcoming committee Attorney Gulden spoke to the
Hadelanders in America and asked Mr. Walby to bring greetings to the
Hadeland Lag from the home community. Mr.
Walby thanked Gulden for his hearty greetings and said that the well
wishes that he and the other Norwegian Americans were met with here in
Hadeland would always remain with them as rich, delightful, and
beautiful memories.
Teacher Hjemsø recited a poetic welcome greeting written by the
festivity’s hostess.
“We wish a hearty welcome to the Norwegian American Hadeland Lag that
has come to Gran today! It
is a magnificent time of the year – St. Hans’ Day – when the fields and
meadows and all of nature display themselves in full splendor.
It was a long time ago that you journeyed across the ocean in
order to set your feet under your own table.
We know that you have toiled and struggled, yes even more than we
have realized. But now, all that is to your great credit.
You love the land of your birth, your father and mother.
And there, now old, they have worried and prayed so fervently for
their young girls and their young boys whom they once set out into the
world. But now they have
their reward again, now their children have returned as brave women and
brave men. Now it is time for a toast! Reach for your glass and take a
drink!”
On behalf of the Host Committee Editor Lie answered with a hearty
welcome and a toast for the Women’s Committee who had made the
arrangements for the delicious lunch.
Acting as representative for the Sognelag in America, Mr. Underdal gave
a wonderful talk in his clear Sogning dialect to the Hadeland community
for what they had done for the visiting Norwegian-Americans.
Such a celebration would never be forgotten!
About 4:00 p.m. the dinner group made its way to
Halvdanshaugen where the
Tingelstad Brass Ensemble welcomed them with rousting musical numbers.
There were people on all the roads leading to the Festival – old
and young, all the locals who were free that afternoon were heading to
Halvdanshaugen to celebrate with the
Hadelanders from America.
There were an estimated 2,500 people in attendance so it was very
crowded on that beautiful hill that is surrounded by so many reminders
of our ancestors’ lives and work.
Committee Chairman Gulden wished everyone welcome.
This was followed by several beautiful musical selections by the
Mannskor KK
and the Hadeland Glassworks Band.
Parish pastor Olssen then gave an outstanding address about the
historical monuments and the old buildings in the outdoor museum and
their connection with the district’s history from the ancient times to
the time of Gregers Granavolden.
Following another musical number, Mayor Egge delivered a hearty
greeting on behalf of the home community.
In it he said that the emigrated sons and daughters would always
be remembered in Hadeland.
He went on to describe the growth and developments in Hadeland that had
taken place during the past generation since the emigants had left
Norway. He ended his speech
with the wish “Long Live the Hadelanders in America!”
Then came the most formal part of the program.
On behalf of the Hadeland municipalities,
Chairman Attorney Gulden presented a beautiful silk Norwegian
flag to Mr. Walby and asked the Hadeland Lag Chairman to take it back to
the Lag members in America.
At the same time he expressed the wish that the Hadelanders in America
would always hold Norway’s Colors high with both respect and honor.
Mr. Walby accepted the flag while the musicians played “Ja
vi elsker.”
During that music, it was as quiet on
Halvdanshaugen as in a
church! In a most touching
manner, Mr. Walby thanked
for both the flag and the honor that had been shown all the visitors
from America. He further
stated that he was certain that the bonds between the Home District and
the Hadelanders in America would for all time be strong and never
broken. His response was met
with strong applause.
The more formal or solemn part of the Festival was ended and then began
the lighter part of the evening’s program.
Actor Harald Stormoen from the National Theatre in Kirstiania was
greeted with much applause when he appeared at the speaker’s platform.
He told his best stories with infectious wit and good humor.
The people laughed until tears were running down their cheeks.
Then the music began again.
The Committee’s Dancemaster Teacher Volla led the dancing, the
Mannskorr KK
sang, the Hadeland Glassworks Band and the Tingelstad Brass Ensemble
continued to perform.
Dancing and splendid fireworks were the finale to the day’s long
program. And the dancing
continued on the ‘green’ far into the summer-lit St. Hans’ night.
Sadly, although we know that seventeen Hadeland Lag members accompanied
President Walby to Norway, their names were never recorded in the Lag’s
records.
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