Little Norway, Wisconsin: Difference between revisions
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{{Infobox NRHP |
{{Infobox NRHP |
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| name = Little Norway |
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| nrhp_type = |
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| image = Pavillon Dragestil - Little Norway, Wisconsin.jpg |
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| caption = The Norway Building built in Norway for Chicago's Columbian Exposition. |
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| location = 3576 CTH JG, [[Blue Mounds, Wisconsin]] |
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| coordinates = {{coord|43|1|32|N|89|47|44|W|display=inline,title}} |
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| locmapin = Wisconsin#USA |
| locmapin = Wisconsin#USA |
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| built = 1927 |
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| architect = Hansteen, Albert Waldemar; Nerdrum, Stanley |
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| architecture = Modern Movement |
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| added = March 16, 1998 |
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| area = {{convert|53|acre}} |
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| governing_body = Private |
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}} |
}} |
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'''Little Norway''' was a [[living museum]] of a [[Norway|Norwegian]] village located in [[Blue Mounds, Wisconsin]]. Little Norway consisted of a fully restored farm dating to the mid-19th century. It is listed on the [[National Register of Historic Places]].<ref>Tora Bøhn. "[http://www.naha.stolaf.edu/pubs/nas/volume19/vol19_6.htm A Quest for Norwegian Folk Art in America]. ''Norwegian-American Studies''. vol. 19, p. 116.</ref> |
'''Little Norway''' was a [[living museum]] of a [[Norway|Norwegian]] village located in [[Blue Mounds, Wisconsin]]. Little Norway consisted of a fully restored farm dating to the mid-19th century. It is listed on the [[National Register of Historic Places]].<ref>Tora Bøhn. "[http://www.naha.stolaf.edu/pubs/nas/volume19/vol19_6.htm A Quest for Norwegian Folk Art in America]. ''Norwegian-American Studies''. vol. 19, p. 116.</ref> |
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Little Norway closed in late 2012.<ref name=WSJ120714>{{cite news|last1=Adams|first1=Barry|title=Owner of Little Norway prepares to sell property|url=http://host.madison.com/news/local/columnists/on-wisconsin-an-end-for-little-norway-and-a-possible/article_7b584af9-fb7f-584d-ab29-876febb948c0.html| |
Little Norway closed in late 2012.<ref name=WSJ120714>{{cite news|last1=Adams|first1=Barry|title=Owner of Little Norway prepares to sell property|url=http://host.madison.com/news/local/columnists/on-wisconsin-an-end-for-little-norway-and-a-possible/article_7b584af9-fb7f-584d-ab29-876febb948c0.html|access-date=January 14, 2015|publisher=[[Wisconsin State Journal]]|date=December 7, 2014}}</ref> |
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==History== |
==History== |
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Little Norway began when Osten Olson Haugen, an immigrant from [[Telemark]], [[Norway]], settled on {{convert|40|acre|m2}} during the 1850s.<ref name=WSJ120714 /> Mr. Haugen built a dwelling house and other buildings out of timber cut on the property. The Haugen family farmed the land until 1920.<ref> |
Little Norway began when Osten Olson Haugen, an immigrant from [[Telemark]], [[Norway]], settled on {{convert|40|acre|m2}} during the 1850s.<ref name=WSJ120714 /> Mr. Haugen built a dwelling house and other buildings out of timber cut on the property. The Haugen family farmed the land until 1920.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.mhtc.net/~hanna4/index_files/Page399.htm |title=''Osten Olsen Haugen'' (About Little Norway) |access-date=2010-01-17 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120805063144/http://www.mhtc.net/~hanna4/index_files/Page399.htm |archive-date=2012-08-05 |url-status=dead }}</ref> |
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In the early 1930s, a Chicago businessman named Isak Dahle was inspired by a recent tour of Norway and memories of his childhood in Southeastern Wisconsin to replicate a Norwegian farm as a gift to his family. He christened it Little Norway and gave it the Norwegian name Nissedahle—a pun on the word dal, meaning valley, and his surname. Dahle died of cancer in 1937. |
In the early 1930s, a Chicago businessman named Isak Dahle was inspired by a recent tour of Norway and memories of his childhood in Southeastern Wisconsin to replicate a Norwegian farm as a gift to his family. He christened it Little Norway and gave it the Norwegian name Nissedahle—a pun on the word dal, meaning valley, and his surname. Dahle died of cancer in 1937. |
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The site was taken over by his relative, University of Wisconsin Agricultural Economics Department chair Asher Hobson, after Dahle died in 1937.<ref name=WSJ120714 /> It was taken over by his daughter and later his grandson Scott Winner.<ref name=WSJ120714 /> After the end of [[World War II]], the owners had offered to sell the facility the State of Wisconsin for $1 but the state didn't want to take on the maintenance of the property.<ref name=WSJ120714 /> |
The site was taken over by his relative, University of Wisconsin Agricultural Economics Department chair [[Asher Hobson]], after Dahle died in 1937.<ref name=WSJ120714 /> It was taken over by his daughter Marcelaine Winner and later his grandson Scott Winner.<ref name=WSJ120714 /> After the end of [[World War II]], the owners had offered to sell the facility the State of Wisconsin for $1 but the state didn't want to take on the maintenance of the property.<ref name=WSJ120714 /> |
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Little Norway closed late in 2012.<ref name=WSJ120714 /> Owner Scott Winner cited costs exceeds revenues for shutting it down.<ref name=WSJ120714 /> He has been selling off pieces of the collection to museums and private collectors to help pay a $22,000 annual tax bill.<ref name=WSJ120714 /> The property listed for $1.9 million as of December 2014.<ref name=WSJ120714 /> Since its 2012 closure, Winner has spoken with the [[Wisconsin Historical Society]] and other foundations about purchasing the property but no deal has been reached.<ref name=WSJ120714 /> |
Little Norway closed late in 2012.<ref name=WSJ120714 /> Owner Scott Winner cited costs exceeds revenues for shutting it down.<ref name=WSJ120714 /> He has been selling off pieces of the collection to museums and private collectors to help pay a $22,000 annual tax bill.<ref name=WSJ120714 /> The property listed for $1.9 million as of December 2014.<ref name=WSJ120714 /> Since its 2012 closure, Winner has spoken with the [[Wisconsin Historical Society]] and other foundations about purchasing the property but no deal has been reached.<ref name=WSJ120714 /> |
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==Norway Building== |
==Norway Building== |
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[[File:Little Norway Guide2.jpg|thumb|left|Early color photograph of a guide at Little Norway. Taken by [[Arthur Rothstein]] for the [[Farm Security Administration]], 1942. Digitally restored.]] |
[[File:Little Norway Guide2.jpg|thumb|left|Early color photograph of a guide at Little Norway. Taken by [[Arthur Rothstein]] for the [[Farm Security Administration]], 1942. Digitally restored.]] |
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Perhaps the best-known attraction at Little Norway is the '''Norway Building''' which was built in [[ |
Perhaps the best-known attraction at Little Norway is the '''Norway Building''' which was built in [[Orkdal]], [[Norway]] for the Norway Pavilion at Chicago's 1893 [[World's Columbian Exposition]].<ref name=WSJ120714 /> by [[Christian Thams]]. It was moved to Little Norway and was one of the few examples of [[Norsemen|Norse]] [[stave church]] architecture outside of Norway.<ref name=WSJ120714 /> Along with the [[Maine State Building]] in [[Poland, Maine]], the Norway building is one of the few remaining buildings from the Chicago World's Fair. |
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After the closing of the Chicago World's Fair, the Norway Building was sold to C.K.G. Billings, a prominent Chicago business man, and relocated by train to his vacation estate in [[Lake Geneva, Wisconsin]]. While in Lake Geneva, the Norway Building passed through multiple owners, and was used primarily for recreation. During the time it was owned by the [[Wrigley Company|Wrigley]] family it was used as a private theater. The Norway Building fell into disrepair during the [[Great Depression]]. It was purchased by Little Norway founder Isak Dahle in 1935.<ref name=WSJ120714 /> |
After the closing of the Chicago World's Fair, the Norway Building was sold to C.K.G. Billings, a prominent Chicago business man, and relocated by train to his vacation estate in [[Lake Geneva, Wisconsin]]. While in Lake Geneva, the Norway Building passed through multiple owners, and was used primarily for recreation. During the time it was owned by the [[Wrigley Company|Wrigley]] family it was used as a private theater. The Norway Building fell into disrepair during the [[Great Depression]]. It was purchased by Little Norway founder Isak Dahle in 1935.<ref name=WSJ120714 /> |
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Following the 2012 closure of the attraction, a delegation from [[Orkdal]], Norway, where the chapel was originally built, began to raise money to purchase the Norway Building and ship the building across the ocean.<ref name=WSJ120714 /> Between the Norwegian government and private donations, that amount totaled $700,000.<ref>{{cite journal |last= Mastony|first= Colleen|title= 1893 World's Fair Building heads home to Norway |
Following the 2012 closure of the attraction, a delegation from [[Orkdal]], Norway, where the chapel was originally built, began to raise money to purchase the Norway Building and ship the building across the ocean.<ref name=WSJ120714 /> Between the Norwegian government and private donations, that amount totaled $700,000.<ref>{{cite journal |last= Mastony|first= Colleen|title= 1893 World's Fair Building heads home to Norway – Norwegian carver's grandson tracks down church in Wisconsin|journal=The Chicago Tribune|date=September 20, 2015|pages=1, 12}}</ref> In 2015, specialists assessed the building and began to dismantle it.<ref>"[http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-little-norway-blue-mounds-met-20150919-story.html Norway Building from 1893 Chicago World's Fair heads home]". ''The Chicago Tribune'', September 19, 2015.</ref> The reassembled building was dedicated on September 9, 2017.<ref>"[http://host.madison.com/slide-show-the-norway-building-is-dedicated-in-orkdal-norway/collection_271f413f-5ed7-50a2-8ce7-52fa0f85bfa5.html Slide show: The Norway Building is dedicated in Orkdal, Norway]". ''Wisconsin State Journal'', September 10, 2017.</ref><ref>Barry Adams. "[http://host.madison.com/wsj/news/local/the-journey-for-the-norway-building-comes-full-circle/article_e0a3ae2e-034b-58b9-8de3-dfc972bf41e7.html The journey for the Norway Building comes full circle]". ''Wisconsin State Journal'', September 11, 2017.</ref> A Norwegian delegation headed by the current director of the Norway Building, Arne Aspjell, will dedicate an Illinois State Historical Plaque in [[Jackson Park (Chicago)|Jackson Park]] near where the original building stood in 1893 on August 25, 2018. |
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==Other attractions== |
==Other attractions== |
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*Stabbur |
*Stabbur – a food storehouse on a raised foundation of heavy timbers |
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*[[Sod roof]]ed cabin |
*[[Sod roof]]ed cabin – built into the hillside to allow goats to graze on its rooftop |
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*Main cabin |
*Main cabin – which once housed cattle and sheep |
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*Spring house |
*Spring house – shelters the pure, spring-fed water which runs through the property |
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*Stue |
*Stue – the family home |
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*Bachelor's cabin |
*Bachelor's cabin – originally a loom and spinning wheel space, adapted to house Osten Haugen's brother-in-law |
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*Laden |
*Laden – a tool room converted to a snug cabin, roofed with old-fashioned hand-split shakes |
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==References== |
==References== |
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==External links== |
==External links== |
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{{commons category|Little Norway, Wisconsin}} |
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*[https://web.archive.org/web/20130220204509/http://nrhp.focus.nps.gov/natregsearchresult.do?fullresult=true&recordid=0 National Register of Historic Places] |
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20130220204509/http://nrhp.focus.nps.gov/natregsearchresult.do?fullresult=true&recordid=0 National Register of Historic Places] |
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{{Stave churches}} |
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[[Category:Museums in Dane County, Wisconsin]] |
[[Category:Museums in Dane County, Wisconsin]] |
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[[Category:Open-air museums in Wisconsin]] |
[[Category:Open-air museums in Wisconsin]] |
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[[Category:Buildings and structures on the National Register of Historic Places in Wisconsin]] |
[[Category:Buildings and structures on the National Register of Historic Places in Wisconsin]] |
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[[Category: |
[[Category:Living museums in the United States]] |
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[[Category:World's fair architecture in the United States]] |
[[Category:World's fair architecture in the United States]] |
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[[Category:Norwegian-American culture in Wisconsin]] |
[[Category:Norwegian-American culture in Wisconsin]] |
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Latest revision as of 10:16, 10 February 2024
Little Norway | |
 The Norway Building built in Norway for Chicago's Columbian Exposition. | |
   | |
| Location | 3576 CTH JG, Blue Mounds, Wisconsin |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 43°1′32″N 89°47′44″W / 43.02556°N 89.79556°W |
| Area | 53 acres (21 ha) |
| Built | 1927 |
| Architect | Hansteen, Albert Waldemar; Nerdrum, Stanley |
| Architectural style | Modern Movement |
| NRHP reference No. | 98000169[1] |
| Added to NRHP | March 16, 1998 |
Little Norway was a living museum of a Norwegian village located in Blue Mounds, Wisconsin. Little Norway consisted of a fully restored farm dating to the mid-19th century. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.[2]
Little Norway closed in late 2012.[3]
History
[edit]Little Norway began when Osten Olson Haugen, an immigrant from Telemark, Norway, settled on 40 acres (160,000 m2) during the 1850s.[3] Mr. Haugen built a dwelling house and other buildings out of timber cut on the property. The Haugen family farmed the land until 1920.[4]
In the early 1930s, a Chicago businessman named Isak Dahle was inspired by a recent tour of Norway and memories of his childhood in Southeastern Wisconsin to replicate a Norwegian farm as a gift to his family. He christened it Little Norway and gave it the Norwegian name Nissedahle—a pun on the word dal, meaning valley, and his surname. Dahle died of cancer in 1937.
The site was taken over by his relative, University of Wisconsin Agricultural Economics Department chair Asher Hobson, after Dahle died in 1937.[3] It was taken over by his daughter Marcelaine Winner and later his grandson Scott Winner.[3] After the end of World War II, the owners had offered to sell the facility the State of Wisconsin for $1 but the state didn't want to take on the maintenance of the property.[3]
Little Norway closed late in 2012.[3] Owner Scott Winner cited costs exceeds revenues for shutting it down.[3] He has been selling off pieces of the collection to museums and private collectors to help pay a $22,000 annual tax bill.[3] The property listed for $1.9 million as of December 2014.[3] Since its 2012 closure, Winner has spoken with the Wisconsin Historical Society and other foundations about purchasing the property but no deal has been reached.[3]
Norway Building
[edit]
Perhaps the best-known attraction at Little Norway is the Norway Building which was built in Orkdal, Norway for the Norway Pavilion at Chicago's 1893 World's Columbian Exposition.[3] by Christian Thams. It was moved to Little Norway and was one of the few examples of Norse stave church architecture outside of Norway.[3] Along with the Maine State Building in Poland, Maine, the Norway building is one of the few remaining buildings from the Chicago World's Fair.
After the closing of the Chicago World's Fair, the Norway Building was sold to C.K.G. Billings, a prominent Chicago business man, and relocated by train to his vacation estate in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. While in Lake Geneva, the Norway Building passed through multiple owners, and was used primarily for recreation. During the time it was owned by the Wrigley family it was used as a private theater. The Norway Building fell into disrepair during the Great Depression. It was purchased by Little Norway founder Isak Dahle in 1935.[3]
Following the 2012 closure of the attraction, a delegation from Orkdal, Norway, where the chapel was originally built, began to raise money to purchase the Norway Building and ship the building across the ocean.[3] Between the Norwegian government and private donations, that amount totaled $700,000.[5] In 2015, specialists assessed the building and began to dismantle it.[6] The reassembled building was dedicated on September 9, 2017.[7][8] A Norwegian delegation headed by the current director of the Norway Building, Arne Aspjell, will dedicate an Illinois State Historical Plaque in Jackson Park near where the original building stood in 1893 on August 25, 2018.
Other attractions
[edit]- Stabbur – a food storehouse on a raised foundation of heavy timbers
- Sod roofed cabin – built into the hillside to allow goats to graze on its rooftop
- Main cabin – which once housed cattle and sheep
- Spring house – shelters the pure, spring-fed water which runs through the property
- Stue – the family home
- Bachelor's cabin – originally a loom and spinning wheel space, adapted to house Osten Haugen's brother-in-law
- Laden – a tool room converted to a snug cabin, roofed with old-fashioned hand-split shakes
References
[edit]- ^ "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. March 13, 2009.
- ^ Tora Bøhn. "A Quest for Norwegian Folk Art in America. Norwegian-American Studies. vol. 19, p. 116.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n Adams, Barry (December 7, 2014). "Owner of Little Norway prepares to sell property". Wisconsin State Journal. Retrieved January 14, 2015.
- ^ "Osten Olsen Haugen (About Little Norway)". Archived from the original on August 5, 2012. Retrieved January 17, 2010.
- ^ Mastony, Colleen (September 20, 2015). "1893 World's Fair Building heads home to Norway – Norwegian carver's grandson tracks down church in Wisconsin". The Chicago Tribune: 1, 12.
- ^ "Norway Building from 1893 Chicago World's Fair heads home". The Chicago Tribune, September 19, 2015.
- ^ "Slide show: The Norway Building is dedicated in Orkdal, Norway". Wisconsin State Journal, September 10, 2017.
- ^ Barry Adams. "The journey for the Norway Building comes full circle". Wisconsin State Journal, September 11, 2017.
External links
[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Little Norway, Wisconsin.
Categories:
- Museums in Dane County, Wisconsin
- Ethnic museums in Wisconsin
- Open-air museums in Wisconsin
- Buildings and structures on the National Register of Historic Places in Wisconsin
- Living museums in the United States
- World's fair architecture in the United States
- Norwegian-American culture in Wisconsin
- Norwegian-American museums
- Defunct museums in Wisconsin
- Museums disestablished in 2012
- National Register of Historic Places in Dane County, Wisconsin
- Museums on the National Register of Historic Places