Landingslaget was founded in 1910 by a group of Norwegian settlers from the bygd (community) called Land in Oppland fylke (county) in south central Norway.
The communities of Nordre Land and Søndre Land (North and South Land) lie among the green slopes and valleys of central Norway about 100 miles north of Oslo. The more rugged northern portion is west of Lillehammer, the site of the 1994 Olympics. The southern part boasts the Randsfjorden, a scenic inland lake. Dokka and Hov are the delightful centers of the two respective kommuner.
Today, Land is a modern, thriving community with a mixture of agriculture and business - a very fine cross-section of Norwegian rural life. Over one hundred fifty years ago, thousands of individuals and families emigrated to America looking for new opportunities. In the 20th century, the children of Norwegian and American "cousins" are now re-establishing their ties.
Landingslaget is a bygdelag dedicated to the preservation of Norwegian cultural
heritage and historical knowledge of one's roots and to the promotion of
fellowship among those who share these interests. Bygdelag is a
combination of two words: bygd implies a settlement where people share a common dialect and customs
and lag is an
association or a group of people.
Lars Nielsen Røste was the first verified Landing to come to America (1839).
About 70 years later Landingslaget was founded. Kristian Goplen (1867-1957)
, born in Nord-Torpa, Land, emigrated to Wisconsin in 1885. An article by
Goplen in Skandinaven led to the organizational meeting of this
lag on June 16, 1910, at Dania Hall in Minneapolis,
Minnesota. The following day a constitution was accepted and officers elected. Except for the World War II years, Landingslaget members have
assembled at least once a year for a stevne or meeting.
Nordre Land’s municipal emblem was
approved by royal decree on December 21, 1987. The emblem has two upright hook
poles in gold on a blue background.
This motif has its background in the
economic life of the district from time immemorial. The municipality has rich
traditions in lumbering, timber floating and transportation of timber, and until
1969 this is the way it was done on the rivers in the municipality. In
connection with timber floating, which in the municipality’s dialect was called
“brotning,” a hook pole was used called a “brotningshake.” The pike pole was a
very popular tool for use in timber floating. Kristian Halden, the municipal
blacksmith (1867-1956) constructed and forged such a special pole. This pole
was lighter and easier to use than what was used in the early days and had a
case or sleeve for the end of the pole to fit into.
Landingslaget i Amerika |