Vesterheim is giving an online presentation for the Boulder Colorado Sons of Norway Vesterheim lodge. Former Trustee, Dale Goodman, will speak about the first ship of Norwegian immigrants to America. In the period beginning in 1825 and for about 100 years following, nearly 40% of the population of Norway – more than 800,000 Norwegians – immigrated to the United States. Most of those immigrants came for “economic opportunity,” but the first immigrants – known as the Sloopers of 1825 – came for religious freedom. The voyage was three years in the planning by an alliance of Quakers and Haugean Lutherans. Beginning on July 4th, 1825, a 54-foot sloop named Restaurasjonen (The Restauration) took 52 passengers on a 98-day journey from Stavanger, Norway to New York City. This presentation follows the story from its roots (in the Napoleonic Wars), through the voyage itself, the reception in New York City, and finally to the first Norwegian settlement in the United States in Kendall, New York.

This is an open meeting. Visitors wishing to attend may contact Erik Sirnes for a Zoom link: eriksirnes@hotmail.com. Find more information about the Boulder, Colorado Sons of Norway Vesterheim Lodge here.

Vesterheim staff members can give presentations to cultural, community, and church groups on a variety of topics. Find more information about presentation options and how to schedule one for your group here.