'Red River Valley'

Nordic Fiddle with Vidar Skrede

Mon, Sep 8 @ 5:30 pm

Enjoy an evening of traditional Nordic fiddle tunes and original music. Vidar Skrede is a performer and composer of Nordic folk music, originally from western Norway and currently living in Milwaukee, WI. He is a multi-instrumentalist performing fiddle, Hardanger fiddle, guitar and mandolin.

Nordic Tales

by Chronicle Books 

398.2 NORDIC 
also in e-book

Translated and transcribed by folklorists in the 19th century, this collection of traditional tales from the enchanting world of Nordic folklore comes to life with glowing contemporary illustrations that conjure dragons, princesses, and the northern lights. At once magical, hilarious, cozy, and chilling, Nordic Tales will enthrall fairy tale fans and captivate those interested in the rich history of Nordic culture. 

Scandinavians in the State House

How Nordic immigrants shaped Minnesota politics 
by Klas Bergman 

977.6 BERGMAN 

Klas Bergman explores immigrant politicians and what drove them to become civically involved so soon after arriving in Minnesota. Profiling the individuals and movements at the forefront of this political activity, at the state and local level, Bergman examines the diverse political philosophies of the immigrant communities and reveals the lasting legacy of Scandinavian politicians in the creation of modern Minnesota. 

Extreme North

A cultural history
by Bernd Brunner 

948 BRUNNER 

An entertaining and informative voyage through cultural fantasies of the North, from sea monsters and a mountain-sized magnet to racist mythmaking. 

Norwegians in Minnesota

by Jon Gjerde 

977.6004 GJERDE 

The images of the Vikings professional football team, the stereotype of the "Norwegian bachelor farmer," and even Minnesotans’ speech patterns proclaim the state’s Norwegian heritage. But Norwegian settlers have contributed much more to Minnesota. Norwegians, who first arrived in territorial days, created lasting farming settlements, especially in the Red River Valley. Their Lutheran churches continue to dot the landscape. But their experience was also urban, as they entered the trades and industries of the Twin Cities. Today, Norwegian influence helps define Minnesota’s unique social, political, and business environment. 

Find more about Nordic culture at the library!

If you need help accessing any of these titles or using front door pickup, email or call us and we will be happy to assist you!

Check out new arrivals in our catalog: Books | Audiobooks | DVDs | Videogames | Library of Things | Libby

Did you know that East Grand Forks was originally known as Nashville? It was named this after William C. Nash, fur trader and government mail carrier between Abercrombie and Pembina, in 1874. Nash was born in Pennsylvania, but came to the area in 1863. He built the first house (of a White man) at the fork of the Red and Red Lake Rivers, waiting for the flood of settlers he was sure was coming to buy land.* 

Before this, the land was inhabited by the Ojibwe people, who freely ranged across the areas that would become Manitoba, Minnesota, and North Dakota. In October of 1863, they signed the Treaty of Old Crossing under duress, ceding 11 million acres of Ojibwe domain to the United States Government.

Before the Ojibwe were established, there’s disputed evidence that a group of Norsemen visited the area in 1362. Three miles from Kensington, MN, Farmer Olaf Ohman and his two young sons found a nearly 200 pound stone inscribed with what appeared to be runic characters stating:

“8 Goths and 22 Norwegians on a journey of discovery from Vinland westward. We had a camp by 2 rocky islets one day’s journey north from this stone. We were out fishing one day. When we returned home we found 10 men red with blood and dead. AVM save us from evil. Have 10 men by the sea to look after our vessel 14 days’ journey from this island. Year 1362.” 

Supposedly at the command of Magnus Erickson, ruler of Norway and Sweden, a band of Vikings traveled across Hudson’s Bay, up the Nelson River, across Lake Winnipeg and then entering the Red River of the North until navigation became impractical (around where East Grand Forks now sits). After a march overland, 10 of the party were killed; the survivors then carved the stone, buried it and moved on to parts unknown.**

* The name was officially changed to East Grand Forks in 1883.

** Modern scholars believe the Kensington Stone to be a forgery, likely carved by immigrant farmers with expertise in stone cutting and the runic alphabet – a hoax created for entertainment during the long Minnesota winters.

References:

• "Avenues for Ladies Only: The Soiled Doves of East Grand Forks 1887-1915." [PDF] by Stephen G. Sylvester
• "Before Minnesota" from Ruby on the Red: East Grand Forks, MN by Stephen G. Sylvester, excerpted in A Meeting of the Reds: East Grand Forks 1887-1987 volume 1
  (This book is available in the Red River Valley section at the library!)