2014 Brochure - Scandinavian American Cultural and Historical

Nordic Spirit Symposium
Scandinavian American Cultural
and Historical Foundation
California Lutheran University
60 West Olsen Road #2600
Thousand Oaks, CA 91360-2710
nor dic s pir i t
presents
Scandinavians in the Old West
FEBRUARY 7 & 8, 2014
SCANDINAVIAN AMERICAN CULTURAL AND HISTORICAL FOUNDATION
A unique lecture/performance program presented by the Scandinavian American Cultural and Historical
Foundation and California Lutheran University made possible through a generous grant from the Barbro
Osher Pro Suecia Foundation with additional support from the Norway House Foundation.
CALIFORNIA
LUTHERAN
UNIVERSITY
THOUSAND OAKS, C A
SCANDINAVIANS IN THE OLD WEST
Scandinavian immigrants and their descendants played large roles in the development of the West. This symposium looks into their contributions in
areas ranging from civic engagement to the transport of lumber needed for cities such as Los Angeles. The public is invited to join in the spirit of a
symposium, which blends music, dining and the free exchange of ideas to enhance the pleasure of learning.
Friday, Feb. 7, 2014
Saturday continued
Scandinavian Center
26 Faculty Road, Thousand Oaks
SCANDINAVIANS IN THE ALASKA GOLD RUSH: THE
THREE LUCKY SWEDES
5:30 – 6:30 p.m.
Gala reception. Reservations requested.
Ernst F. Tonsing, Professor Emeritus, Religion and Greek, CLU
Gold found in Alaska in the late 19th century attracted prospectors from around
the world, including Scandinavia. Dr. Tonsing will recount some astonishing
adventures of the famous Three Lucky Swedes (one was Norwegian) and how
they struck it rich, kept their wealth, founded the city of Nome and became
benefactors to their home countries as well as San Francisco and Oakland.
Samuelson Chapel
California Lutheran University
6:15 – 7:00 p.m.
7:00 – 9:30 p.m.
Registration
Program
WESTERN ON ARRIVAL: SWEDISH IMMIGRANTS
AND THE MYTH OF THE WEST
EARLY SWEDES IN KINGSBURG, CALIFORNIA
Jennifer Easton Attebery, Chair, English Department and Director, Folklore
Program, Idaho State University
The image of an exotic and violent North American West was readily available
to Europeans in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Swedes read translations
of the Buffalo Bill dime novels and materials penned by Swedish emigrants. Thus,
many Swedes came with a notion of the Wild West, and we can say that they
were Western on arrival.
POTBOILERS AND SENTIMENTAL ROMANCES:
HOW THE DANES WON THE WEST
John Mark Nielsen, Executive Director, Danish Immigrant Museum, Elkhorn,
Iowa
The speaker will give a light-hearted overview of the immigrant novels of
Kristian Ostergaard, written between 1890 and 1930. Who knew that Danes
played such an important role in the Old West?
Robert H. Peterson, Retired Attorney and Native of Kingsburg
The Central California city of Kingsburg has 19th-century Swedish architecture
in its downtown, lampposts adorned with Dala horses, and a water tower
decorated like a Swedish coffee pot. Bob Peterson will tell the story of this city
founded before the turn of the century by Swedish immigrants that has retained
its character and traditions through changing times.
WHO KNEW THAT EDVARD GRIEG WAS THE RUGGED
“COWBOY” INDIVIDUALIST FROM THE WEST (COAST OF
NORWAY, THAT IS!)?
Dorothy Schechter, Professor Emeritus of Music, CLU
Dorothy Schechter will return to entertain the audience with piano music and
stories of Edvard Grieg.
THE BARON OF MESA VERDE: GUSTAF
NORDENSKIÖLD’S ROLE IN THE EARLY ARCHAEOLOGY
OF THE AMERICAN SOUTHWEST
Saturday, Feb. 8, 2014
Judith Lähde Reynolds, Adjunct Professor, Art History, Fort Lewis College
Samuelson Chapel
California Lutheran University
A young Swedish scientist made Mesa Verde famous long before it became
a national park. In 1891, Gustaf Nordenskiöld published the first scientific
monograph on the ancient cliff dwellings. Seen as an outsider, he ignited
American prejudice against foreigners, and severe local opposition resulted in his
arrest, imprisonment and trial, and an international controversy.
8:15 a.m.Registration
9:00 a.m. – 5:15 p.m.
Program, Breaks and Lunch
THE “SCANDINAVIAN NAVY”: LUMBER SCHOONERS
OF THE PACIFIC WEST COAST
Olaf T. Engvig, Maritime Author and Restorer of Historic Norwegian Boats
and Ships
Hundreds of Scandinavian-operated Pacific Coast lumber schooners played
a critical role in the development of the West. Though largely ignored in the
literature, captains and sailors arguably made a more distinctly Scandinavian
contribution to the development of the West than other Scandinavian immigrants
did on the prairie.
CIVICALLY ACTIVE SCANDINAVIANS IN THE
NORTHWEST AND THEIR LEGACY
INDIVIDUALIZING NATURE: THE ART AND LIFE OF
BIRGER SANDZÉN
Ron Michael, Curator, Birger Sandzén Memorial Gallery, Lindsborg, Kansas
Swedish-American artist Birger Sandzén (1871-1954) came from Västergötland
province in 1894 to teach at Bethany College and develop as an artist. Through
ability and determination, he became a distinguished painter and printmaker
of Kansas, Rocky Mountain and Southwest landscapes, as well as an honored
educator and arts proponent. This talk will also touch on Sandzén’s early years in
Skara, Sweden, his studies under Anders Zorn and Richard Berg in Stockholm,
and his time in Paris.
Ryland Penta, Student, University of Washington, Seattle
With pictures and stories, Ryland Penta, a political science student of past Nordic
Spirit presenter Christine Ingebritsen at the University of Washington, will
discuss the lasting legacy of civically active Scandinavians in Washington state,
such as suffragists Helga and Clara Estby, Swedish Hospital founder Dr. Nils
Johanson, Seattle mayor and San Clemente, Calif., founder Ole Hanson, and
department store founder John Nordstrom.
Saturday Evening
Lundring Events Center
6:00 - 7:00 p.m. Social Hour
7:00 p.m. Dinner and Entertainment
The organizers reserve the right to make any changes that may be necessary.
Reservation deadline for Saturday Lunch and Dinner: January 24, 2014.
IMMIGRANT LOGGER REVOLUTIONIZES THE
NORTHWEST TIMBER INDUSTRY
Early registration deadline: January 18, 2014
Mary Hekhuis, Former Director of Public Relations at CLU
Mary Hekhuis will tell how Finnish immigrant Oscar Wirkkala’s creativity and
inventions revolutionized logging on the steep slopes of the Pacific Northwest.
Her talk will include personal stories of his many adventures and feats.
For information contact (805) 660-3096
Cover art: Birger Sandzén
courtesy of the Birger Sandzén Memorial Gallery
Lindsborg, KS
Reservation deadline for Saturday Lunch and Dinner: January 24, 2014
Friday & Saturday Program
Friday Program Only
Friday Gala Reception
General
Admission
$55 ($50 by Jan. 18)
$20 ($15 by Jan. 18)
$10
Saturday Program Only
Saturday Luncheon (limited seating; tax & service included)
Saturday Dinner (limited seating; tax & service included)
$40 ($35 by Jan. 18)
$12
$33
Quantity
SACHF Members
Quantity
Students
CLU Faculty/Staff
Quantity
Total
$40 ($35 by Jan. 18)
$15
$10
Free registration
$
Free registration
$
$10
$
$30 ($25 by Jan. 18)
$12
$33
Free registration
$
$12
$
$33
$
Please enroll me (us) as Scandinavian American Cultural and Historical Foundation members, $40 per individual, $60 household
$
Enclosed is my check payable to Scandinavian American Cultural & Historical Foundation
$
Indicate choice:
___ Petite Filet Mignon
___ Vegetarian
___ Grilled Salmon
Please print
Name (each person):_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Street Address:__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
City, State, ZIP:_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
E-mail address:_______________________________________________________ Phone:_____________________________________________________________
Mail to: Nordic Spirit Symposium, c/o H. Rockstad, 1227 Tierra Drive, Thousand Oaks, CA 91362-2251 • www.scandinaviancenter.org