“Color it Indigo,” said Dewey Thorbeck, NH Architect, to portray water”'s mutual significance and beauty in Norway”'s fjords and Minnesota”'s deepest lakes. The vivid, eye-catching use of Indigo also recalls the strong cultural affinity of Norway and Minnesota. Welcome to Franklin Ave. and Ventura Village NH.
By happenstance, Indigo”'s traditional meanings—service to humanity, integrity, sincerity, intuition, and perception—are fitting with the NH “Peace Initiative” and hope to enhance conversation culture, and contemplation. Indigo”'s deep midnight blue also suggests concentration and meditation.
The opening of another cultural center on Franklin Avenue, being adjacent to Mindekirken””the Norwegian Memorial Lutheran Church at the west end of the American Indian Cultural Corridor, enhances this area as a “go to” location for the richest of cultural traditions, insights and education.
BY ELIZABETH PLAETZ LORI, Norway House Director of Programs and Communications
What started as a dream more than a decade ago is now a reality. After years of imagining, planning and building, the Norway House Education Center will open its doors on May 12, 2015 with its first gallery exhibition, “Red, White & Blue | Norwegian Constitution, American Inspiration.” Â Inspired by a shared love of Norway and its heritage, volunteers and donors have worked tirelessly, giving their time and resources to build a bridge that connects America to modern day Norway.
Norway House is the new national center for Norway in America. This ambitious endeavor was inspired by the hundreds of thousands of Norwegian-Americans living in the Midwest. Norway House was built by many individuals, families and businesses who share a dream and support the mission to promote a common interest and community for Norway.
Norway House provides a place for many to call “home.” It has spaces for families and organizations to gather and celebrate. The Gavebutikk and Kaffebar by Also Ingebretsens (a long-standing neighborhood treasure) offers Norwegian gifts, specialties, coffee, and culinary favorites. Children have a place to come to learn new languages and folk songs. Corporations and business partners from Norway will now have a base to build opportunities and partnerships in a new environment. With the opening of the Education Center and plans continuing for the second phase of the project, the Event Center, it is an exciting time for Norway House.
Norway House is a Minnesota-based nonprofit organization dedicated to providing a link for present and future generations of the Norwegian-American community in the Upper Midwest to the heritage and culture of Norway. Norway House partners with individuals, organizations and businesses in the Norwegian-American community to promote an appreciation for and understanding of the American Norwegian experience and its relationship to modern Norway and the world. The Norway House oversees programs, including The Edvard Grieg Society, the Norway House Peace Initiative and the “Going Viking” award, which recognizes the accomplishments of notable Norwegian-American leaders.
Hours & details
www.norwayhouse.org
See 17th of May Celebration and VV NEWS Pg. 5
