Abstract The La Crosse, Wisconsin, chapter of the Daughters of Norway, Ornen Lodge #25 (organized in 1908) was part of a national fraternal organization dedicated to the socialization, mutual assistance, and preservation of the Norwegian language and heritage in the United States. The group was most active from 1908-1951, when women nationally were allowed to join the Sons of Norway lodges, but some members of Ornen Lodge continued to meet until 1969. Locally, women joined the Sons of Norway,...

Abstract The Sons of Norway is a national Norwegian-American cultural fraternal organization intended for those of Norwegian decent in the United States. Among the goals of the group are to preserve the history of the Norwegian immigrants and to provide benevolent services to members in need. The La Crosse, Wisconsin, chapter known as Wergeland Lodge #28, began in 1903. Beginning in 1951, members of the Daughters of Norway Ornen Lodge #25 joined with Wergeland. In about 1975, the Coon Valley, Vernon...