Heritage
Sons of Norway
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 are now the largest Norwegian organization outside Norway.
Below is a YouTube video showcasing Norwegian folk dance, compiled by Peer Gynt LA member Peggy Knutson Wishon.
A Local Legacy
That Began in 1911
Nordic institutions in California date back to the 1800’s, when immigrant communities first established organizations in San Francisco during the Gold Rush era.
By the time Peer Gynt was founded in 1911, the 22nd lodge in Western United States, these early societies had already laid the groundwork for Nordic life on the West Coast.
Peer Gynt LA is widely recognized as the first Sons of Norway lodge in California.
For more than a century, our group has served as:
A cultural home
A community builder
A bridge between generations of Norwegians and Scandinavians in Southern California
Today, Peer Gynt LA continues that legacy, reimagined for a new generation in one of the world’s most creative cities.
