The mission of Sons of Norway is to promote, preserve,
and cherish a lasting appreciation of the heritage and
culture of Norway and other Nordic countries while
growing soundly as a fraternal benefit society and
offering maximum benefits to its members.
We promote Norwegian
traditions and fraternal fellowship through the cultural
and social opportunities offered in local lodge and
district lodge activities. These activities include
language camps and classes, scholarships, handicrafts,
cooking and heritage classes, heritage programs, sports
programs, travel opportunities, Viking Magazine, and
outreach programs sponsored by the Sons of Norway
Foundation.
Sons of Norway was organized as a fraternal benefit
society by 18 Norwegian immigrants in Minneapolis,
Minnesota, on January 16, 1895. The purposes and goals of
the Founding Fathers were to protect members of Sons of
Norway and their families from the financial hardships
experienced during times of sickness or death in the
family. Over time, the mission of Sons of Norway was
expanded to include the preservation of Norwegian heritage
and culture in our Society. We have grown since our
beginning and now encompass more than 420 local lodges
with a membership of 70,000 people living in North America
and Norway.
These local Sons of Norway lodges are members of
the Norwegian National League: