WEB Update
January 9th Language Class is canceled -
The Wreath Class in now full.

Installation of Officers
Saturday, January 18  

 Norway House 3846 Meredith Dr., Fairfax, VA  (see Norway House tab for directions)

 Godt nytt år til alle! Kick off the new lodge year by joining us on January 18 for the installation of our 2025 Lodge officers and other board members. Kathy Dollymore, SON International District Three Director and long-term friend to our lodge, will journey down from Pennsylvania to perform the ceremony. Please bring a dish for potluck. The doors will open at 5 pm; dinner will start around 6, and the installation will start around 7 pm. There will be no Zoom option for this meeting.  

Reading Circle, Tuesday, February 18,7:30 PM, Zoom

The History of Bees  

 The History of Bees won the Norwegian Booksellers’ Prize (Bokhandlerprisen) in 2015 and was consistently ranked among top-  selling titles of popular fiction in Norway in 2016 and 2017. The book also receives high praise on Amazon:  “Imagine The Leftovers, but with honey” (Elle), and in the spirit  of Station Eleven and Never Let Me Go. This “spectacular and deeply  moving” (Lisa See, New York Times bestselling author) novel follows  three generations of beekeepers from the past, present, and future,  weaving a spellbinding story of their relationship to the bees — and  to their children and one another — against the backdrop of an urgent, global crisis.  

Norwegian History Roundtable(NHR), Sunday January 26, 3 pm  Zoom
Roundtable Discussion of Norway in World War II 

From the perspective of the 21st century, the most significant event of the 20th century was World War II. No other event matched the scale of the conflict, the breadth of participation, or the level of devastation seen during that war. In comparison, other conflicts like World War I and the Cold War seem relatively less impactful.

Norway, which had managed to avoid the horrors of World War I, found itself drawn into the second world conflict early on. The unwelcome invasion brought immense suffering, disrupting the lives and properties of its citizens. Every Norwegian, whether at home or abroad, was touched by the war and forced to make sacrifices. Norwegians rose to the occasion with courage, often risking grave consequences, including death, for their actions.

In this meeting, we will explore the challenges Norwegians faced, the ways they confronted these hardships, and how the war ultimately transformed Norway and reshaped its role in the world. Members are encourage to express opinions, retel personal or family history, ask questions or respectfully challenge others viewpoints. 

Genealogy Interest Group (GIG)  January 25, 3 PM, Zoom
The Black Death and the  Second Pandemic in  Norway  

The GIG offers a two-part Zoom meeting in January.  "Epidemiology of the Black Death" by Katja Jacobsen.  Katja Jacobsen, PhD, MPH, is an epidemiologist who  conducts research on emerging infectious diseases, among other topics. As the administrator for the lodge’s  Cultural Skills Program, she is looking forward to many  GIG members earning genealogy pins in 2025!  Katja’s presentation on the epidemiology of  svartedauden (the Black Death) in Norway will explain what bubonic plague is, how and why it spread across  Europe in the mid-1300s, and why plague is no longer causing mass death even though cases still occur in  many countries each year, including the U.S.

"Social, Economic, Religious, Political and Psychological Effects of the 2nd Pandemic in  Norway, 1348 – 1654" by Alexis Steen  Alexis Steen is a marine scientist and oil spill responder with decades of experience in environmental  regulations, research management and regulatory approvals. In retirement she has focused on two  Gs: gardening and genealogy. She enjoys the discovery of ancestors while acquiring a better  knowledge of Norwegian history. She co-chairs Washington Lodge’s Genealogy Interest Group with  Joel Myklebust.  Alexis’ presentation will begin with an overview of Norway immediately prior to the Black Death to set  the stage for changes in the context of nationhood, the Little Ice Age, and Norwegian society. She will  summarize the social, economic, religious, political and psychological effects from over 300 years of  the second pandemic on Norwegians and on Norway itself. In closing, personal examples of ancestors  impacted by or connected to the Black Death and subsequent plague outbreaks will be provided.  

To join the GIG mailing list and receive Zoom links, email genealogy@NorwayDC.org.  

Easy Rosemaling Wreath for Easter 
Saturday, February 1, 1-5 pm, Norway House 

Get a jump on spring decorating and join us for an easy painting  class at Norway House! During this mini-workshop we’ll learn two  basic rosemaling strokes — the teardrop and “S” strokes. Once  we’ve mastered them, we’ll apply our skills by painting three  wooden ornaments which we’ll then tie to a 6” grapevine wreath.   

Tina Keune, a Vesterheim Norwegian American Museum Gold  Medal rosemaling artist, will lead the class down this modern  rosemaling path. We’ll diverge from traditional earth tones and  brighten the palette with springtime pastel hues.  Each participant will receive a kit that includes printed information about rosemaling, a brush, stroke  instructions, patterns, paint, practice and transfer paper, three base-coated ornaments, and a natural  6” wreath. Non-members’ fee is $15 for the class and kit; FREE for lodge members. Appropriate for  ages 8 and above. Class size limited to 18. RSVP by January 21 to Denise Bowden at  Festival@NorwayDC.org. Pay by cash or check on arrival.

Note: The Class in now full.

Welcome to our Website

Are you interested in Norway Literature, History, Folklore, Genealogy, Food, or Language? Do you want to connect to your roots, study the Viking age or the Norwegian Resistance in WWII, or discuss the latest in Norwegian culture?
The Sons of Norway members in the nation's capital, representing a diversity of background and nationality, share an interest in Norwegian and Scandinavian Culture. We trust that all ages will find something of interest -- in our web site and in our lodge. We have almost 400 members. Most are from the local area of DC, Maryland, and Virginia, but we also have members from another 16 states as well as Norway, Canada, and Great Britain.

For information on membership, contact Jeff Jorgenson  at Jas_jorgenson@yahoo.com. 

To join the Washington Lodge click the "Join Our Lodge" button under the Picture at the top of this page. 

For other information, contact Dave Brown President@norwaydc.org .

Hint: When you push a brown button, it will open a new tab on your screen. However, if you close the tab, it will return you to the previous screen.

Cultural Skills

This fall the lodge is running a Cooking Pin Challenge.  Photograph the Norwegian treats and main dishes you cook this fall, and let’s see how many lodge members can earn a first, second, or third cultural skills pin before the end of the year!  Email culturalskills@norwaydc.org to find out more about the Cultural Skills program.