Identity area
Type of entity
Organization
Authorized form of name
Ancient Order of Vikings, Ship Tacoma No. 1
Parallel form(s) of name
Standardized form(s) of name according to other rules
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Description area
Dates of existence
1892-1955
History
The Gamle Vikingers Forbund, or Ancient Order of Vikings, Ship No. 1 was created in 1892 as an extension of The Haabet (Hope) Literary Society, which had been active in the Tacoma community since 1890, providing an “English school for newcomers.” The organization, whose motto was “Brotherhood, Protection and Charity” included the founding members: Chas. Evans, Engvald Haug, Chas. Woog, Severin Haug, Ole Moen, Dirk Blaauw, G.O. Sande, C. Knutson, N.L. Ormsrud, Haakon Bader and Tom Knudson.
The society first appeared in newspapers in 1895, holding their annual celebration of Norway’s May 17th Constitution Day, which would frequently be attended by Tacoma political figures, including Mayor George P. Wright and accompaniment from the Walhalla Military Band. The organization also held annual Christmas celebrations which featured both Christian and Norse ceremonies, including a “representation of the ancient offering of sacrifice to Odin and Thor.”
In 1905, the society reserved a special train for members to visit Portland’s Lewis and Clark exposition together. In 1908, the 220 member organization purchased three acres in the north side of Fox Island at the entrance of Hales Passage for a lodge and picnic grounds for $50,000. The Ancient Order of Vikings eventually sold this property in order to invest in the Normanna Hall building at 1502 Martin Luther Way.
In 1941, the society donated their “Viking Library” to the Pacific Lutheran University, which included items which dated back to the Haabet Literary Society. Although the organization seems to have waned and revived on multiple occasions, a typed note within Log Book Six written by historian Hjalmer Jensen describes the final meeting of the order taking place on February 2nd, 1955.
Places
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Relationships area
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Control area
Authority record identifier
Institution identifier
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Status
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Dates of creation, revision and deletion
Written by Andrew Weymouth, 2022
Language(s)
Script(s)
Sources
Advertisement - Tacoma Daily News - December 7, 1895 - Page [5]. p. 1.
Bergman, Hans. History of Scandinavians in Tacoma and Pierce County with Brief History of Tacoma and Early Settlement. Filmed by the Genealogical Society of Utah, 1996.
Seattle Daily Times (Published as THE SEATTLE DAILY TIMES) - May 21, 1899 - Page 6. p. 1.
Seattle Post-Intelligencer (Published as The Seattle Post-Intelligencer.) - May 18, 1902 - Page 13. p. 1.
Seattle Post-Intelligencer (Published as The Seattle Post-Intelligencer.) - October 12, 1907 - Page 11. p. 1.
Tacoma Daily News - February 19, 1896 - Page 3. p. 1.
Tacoma Daily News - February 19, 1896 - Page 3.Pdf.
Tacoma Daily News - February 21, 1890 - Page 8. p. 1.
Tacoma Daily News - February 21, 1890 - Page 8.Pdf.
Tacoma Daily News (Published as THE TACOMA DAILY NEWS) - April 15, 1905 - Page 16. p. 1.
Tacoma Daily News (Published as THE TACOMA DAILY NEWS) - August 19, 1905 - Page 11. p. 1.
Tacoma Daily News (Published as THE TACOMA DAILY NEWS) - December 19, 1910 - Page 10. p. 1.
Tacoma Daily News (Published as THE TACOMA DAILY NEWS) - December 26, 1903 - Page 6. p. 1.
Tacoma Daily News (Published as THE TACOMA DAILY NEWS) - January 29, 1904 - Page 3. p. 1.
Tacoma Daily News (Published as THE TACOMA DAILY NEWS) - November 16, 1908 - Page 7. p. 1.
Tacoma Daily News (Published as THE TACOMA DAILY NEWS) - October 15, 1917 - Page 1. p. 1.
Tribune (Published as THE TACOMA NEWS TRIBUNE) - December 19, 1941 - Page 3. p. 1.