Contents of this page:
List of the Historical Lodges of Daughters of Norway of the Pacific Coast
Brief History of the Daughters of Norway Lodges
Charter Members of the Daughters of Norway of the Pacific Coast

1. 1905 Valkyrien #1, Seattle, Washington. [1]
2. 1907 Embla #2, Tacoma, Washington. [1][2]
3. 1907 Freya #3, Spokane, Washington, closed 6/20/1924. [1]
4. 1908 Anna Kolbjørnsen, #4, San Francisco, California, closed in the 1940's or 1968.
5. 1909 Camilla Collett #5, Bellingham, Washington, closed 6/13/1919. [See #41 below]
6. 1910 Fylke #6, Portland, Oregon, 5/1/1926. [See #37 below]
7. 1910 Stjernen #7, Astoria, Oregon.
8. 1910 Solveig #8, Eureka, California, closed 9/12/1927.
9. 1910 Ragna #9, Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, closed by 1942.
10. 1910 Breidablik #10, Ballard, Washington, closed 12/31/2003.
11. 1911 Eva Nansen #11, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, closed 6/4/1920.
12. 1912 Thelma #12, Hoquiam, Washington, closed 6/19/1919.
13. 1912 No Lodge 13 was established because everyone felt it was an unlucky number.
14. 1912 Helga #14, Aberdeen, Washington, closed 6/9/1916.
15. 1912 Aase #15, Los Angeles, California, closed 6/13/1919.
16. 1912 Thyra #16, South Bend, Washington, closed 1931.
17. 1913 Norrøna #17, Anacortes, Washington, closed 6/13/1919.
18. 1913 Gjøa #18, Oakland, California, closed 6/30/2001.
19. 1913 Nordlys #19, Great Falls, Montana, closed 2/28/1925.
20. 1913 Solheim #20, Butte, Montana.
21. 1913 Soglimt #21, Anaconda, Montana, closed 6/8/1923.
22. 1913 Sæterjenten #22, New Westminister, British Columbia, closed 6/13/1919.
23. 1913 Nordstjernen #23, Petersburg, Alaska, closed in 1950's.
24. 1914 Ingeborg #24, Stanwood, Washington, closed 5/17/1927.
25. 1923 Camilla Collett #25, Silvana, Washington, closed 12/31/1995.
26. 1931 Thelma #26, Everett, Washington. [3]
27. 1934 Lyngblomsten #27, Aberdeen, Washington, closed in 1950s.
28. 1956 Crown Princess Martha #28, San Leandro, California, closed 12/31/1998.
29. 1971 Sonja Henie #29, Reno, Nevada.
30. 1985 Prillar Guri #30, Olympia, Washington.
31. 1986 Solveig #31, Burien, Washington.
32. 1987 Sigrid Undset #32, Palo Alto, California.
33. 1987 Aase #33, Lafayette, California.
34. 1987 Anne Grimdalen #34, Cupertino, California.
35. 1988 Kirsten Flagstad #35, Sequim, Washington, closed in 1997.
36. 1988 Anna Kolbjørnsdatter #36, San Francisco, California.
37. 1989 Frida Hansen #37, Portland, Oregon.
38. 1989 Gina Krog #38, Kirkland, Washington.
39. 1996 Ester Moe #39, Clinton, Washington.
40. 1997 Nina Grieg #40, Poulsbo, Washington.
41. 1999 Nellie Gerdrum #41, Bellingham, Washington.
42. 2001 Queen Maud #42, Carson City, Nevada.
43. 2003 Ingeborg #43, Stanwood, Washington.
44. 2003 Turid Jespersen #44, Mission Viejo, California.
45. 2004 Thea Foss #45, Port Townsend, Washington.
46. 2006 Eva Nansen #46, Des Moines, Iowa.
47. 2007 Helga Estby #47, Mountain Home, Idaho.

[1] Three original lodges formed the Daughters of Norway of the Pacific Coast on February 20, 1908. These three original lodges each received their charters from the Sons of Norway of the Pacific Coast.

[2] Freya Lodge #3 joined the local Sons of Norway of the Pacific Coast (SNPC) in 1923 after SNPC began admitting women.

[3] Thelma Lodge was founded May 7, 1908, in the eastern Daughters of Norway Lodge #26. They petitioned for entry into DNPC in 1931 after the eastern Daughters of Norway began merging with the Sons of Norway.

• May 17, 1814 - Norway adopted its constitution and declared independence. A Union with Sweden was created.
• June 5, 1905 - Norway terminated its union with Sweden.
• October 19, 1905 - Daughters of Norway of the Pacific Coast (Valkyrien Lodge #1) started in Seattle with help from the Sons of Norway of the Pacific Coast (Leif Eriksen Lodge #1).
• June 22, 1906 - King Haakon VII and Queen Maud were consecrated at Nidaros Cathedral in Trondheim.
• April 24, 1907 - the Seattle lodge became Valkyrien Lodge #1 when Embla Lodge #2 was founded in Tacoma.
• February 20, 1908 - "Articles of Incorporation of the Daughters of Norway of the Pacific Coast, Seattle, Washington" were signed by ten women from Valkyrien, Embla, and Freya lodges and filed with the Secretary of State (recorded in Book 66, p. 593, Domestic Corporations, February 24, 1908, Certificate 338, Washington State). These women were Minnie Larsen, Lena Hamstad, Marie Lund, Sophia Johnson, Sarah Hardman, Agnes Berntzen, Emily Helgesen, Martha Vatting, Olava Thompson, and Annie Christianson.
• December 1908 - Valkyrien Lodge #1 paid $1000 toward purchase of property on Boren Avenue, Seattle, Washington, for Norway Hall, a one-third share of the project with Leif Erikson # 1, Sons of Norway of the Pacific Coast.
• 1909 - Many lodges of the Daughters of Norway participated in Norway Day at the Alaska, Yukon, and Pacific Exposition at the present site of the University of Washington main campus in Northeast Seattle, Washington.
• July 10, 1910 - Sons of Norway of the Pacific Coast merged with the Sons of Norway at a meeting in Grand Forks, North Dakota. The SNPC became District 2 of the Sons of Norway. The Sons of Norway also admitted women after 1910 in competition with DNPC.
• 1918 - No Grand Lodge convention was held because of World War I and the efforts of the Daughters of Norway of the Pacific Coast to help the Red Cross.
• 1926 - The Daughters of Norway of the Pacific Coast conventions became biennial.
• January 12, 1921 - Leif Erikson and Valkyrien lodges paid off the mortgage on Norway Hall on Boren Ave. in Seattle.
• July 1-2, 1932 - Valkyrien Lodge #1 hosted the 18th Convention.
• 1935 - Valkyrien sponsored the formation of the Norwegian Ladies Chorus, directed by August & Matty Werner, in Seattle, Washington.
• August 6-8, 1936 - The Daughters of Norway of the Pacific Coast Grand Lodge Convention agreed to translate their Constitution and Ritual books into English. Valkyrien Lodge #1 hosted the 20th Convention at the Olympic Hotel in Seattle.
• December15, 1936 - Inga Humlebek Frodesen of Valkyrien Lodge #1 started the Døtre av Norge newspaper (på norsk), which included the minutes of the Grand Lodge and activities of all the individual lodges.
• June 1938 - Marie Berlund acted as temporary editor of Døtre av Norge while Inga Frodesen was in Norway.
• 1939 - Haldis Baarstad of Valkyrien Lodge #1 became temporary editor of Døtre av Norge.
• April 1940 - Germany invaded Norway. Most Daughters of Norway of the Pacific Coast lodges helped the Red Cross and other relief agencies.
• June 1944 - Inga Humlebek Frodesen resumed editing Døtre av Norge.
• July 7, 1944 - Daughters of Norway of the Pacific Coast participated in a tribute to occupied Norway (World War II) on Norway Day at Seattle's Victory Square. Martha Rogness made a two-sided (American/Norwegian) 24 foot by 30 foot flag for the occasion.
• 1945 - Tordis Hansen Nilsen Hovik received the King Haakon Freedom Medal for her work in the Norwegian Resistance during World War II.
• 1946 - Thrine Johnson Pedersen received the King Haakon Freedom Medal for her relief work as Washington chairman gathering clothing for Norway throughout World War II.
• 1946 - Inga Humlebek Frodesen received the St. Olaf Medal for her work in Washington showing films of Norway and donating the procedes to Norwegian relief.
• 1946 - Anne Marie Frodesen Steiner received King Christian X (Denmark) Freedom Medal for her service to Denmark and Norway while serving as USWAC in the OSS.
• 1950 - The eastern Daughters of Norway formally merged with the Sons of Norway. Some of their lodges were disbanded and some became Sons of Norway lodges.
• June 1950 - Daughters of Norway of the Pacific Coast conventions changed to the English language.
• June 1950 - English supplemented norsk in the newspaper Døtre av Norge.
• April 7, 1951 - Norway Center at 300 3rd Ave W, Seattle, dedicated by Leif Erikson Lodge #1, Sons of Norway, Valkyrien Lodge, and two other groups.
• June 1952 - Gunvor Bjerkeseth from Embla Lodge #2 became editor of Døtre av Norge.
• April 5, 1954 - Crown Princess Märtha died (Crown Prince Olav's wife).
• October 16, 1955 - Valkyrien Lodge #1 celebrated its 50th Anniversary at Norway Center. Dagny Shervheim was President.
• December 10, 1955 - Ground Breaking Ceremony for Norse Home was held on Phinney Ridge in Seattle, Washington.
• July 20, 1956 - The DNPC convention changed the name of the corporation to "Daughters of Norway", sworn by Adelaine Sather, Grand Lodge President, and Helene Villesvik, Grand Lodge Secretary, amended Articles of Incorporation were filed with the State of Washington on August 29, 1956.
• July 20, 1956 - Daughters of Norway convention created the Memorial Scholarship Fund. The first scholarship was $300.
• May 29, 1957 - Inge Humlebek Frodesen was awarded St. Olaf's Medal by Norway's King Haakon for raising $5000 for WWII Relief by showing films.
• September 21, 1957 - King Haakon VII died.
• June 22, 1958 - King Olav V consecrated at the Nidaros Cathedral in Trondheim.
• June 17, 1962 - Daughters of Norway participated in Norway Day at the Century 21 Exposition (Seattle World's Fair).
• May 3-6, 1968 - King Olav V visited Seattle and San Francisco and was feted by both communities.
• August 29, 1968 - Crown Prince Harald married Norwegian commoner Sonja Haraldsen, who became Crown Princess Sonja.
• September 22, 1971 - Princess Martha Louise was born.
• July 20, 1973 - Prince Haakon was born.
• 1973 - Daughters of Norway quit issuing burial certificates to new members.
• October 19, 1975 - King Olav V dedicated Bergen Place Park at the corner of NW Market St and 22nd Ave NW in Seattle in celebration of the 150th Anniversary of Norwegian Immigration to the Pacific Northwest. Valkyrien's huge double-sided flag was displayed at the evening banquet.
• 1978 - Anne Marie Frodesen Steiner received St. Olav's Medal for service to the Seattle Norwegian community.
• 1982 - Alice Ericksen of Valkyrien Lodge #1 became editor of Døtre av Norge.
• 1983 - Gerd Bjerkeseth Michels from Breidablik Lodge #10 became editor of Døtre av Norge, after Alice Ericksen died suddenly.
• October 28, 1983 - Five Washington lodges: Valkyrien, Embla, Breidablik, Camilla Collett, and Thelma, feted Princess Astrid and awarded an honorary membership in Daughters of Norway at a dinner at Norway Center. Louise Thomas was Grand Lodge President.
• 1984 - Mountaineers, Inc., bought the Norway Center building. Valkyrien moved its belongings and most of its functions to The Nordic Heritage Museum, 3014 NW 67th St, Seattle, Washington.
• February 13, 1984 - Many Washington State lodges participated in the founding of the Norwegian 17th of May Committee in Seattle, Washington.
• December 20, 1984 - Norway Center, Inc., dissolved. Valkyrien Lodge #1 received a one-quarter share of the proceeds of the sale.
• April 30, 1985 - Valkyrien donated $5000 to Leif Erikson Lodge, Sons of Norway, for their (2245 NW 57th St., Seattle, Washington) Building Fund and $5000 to the Norse Home Capital Improvement Fund.
• November 20, 1985 - Dagny Shervheim of Valkyrien Lodge #1 was awarded King Olav's Medal from Norway for her work in the Norwegian Community.
• July 18-20, 1986 - Breidablik Lodge #10 sponsored the 45th Convention of the Grand Lodge. Valkyrien Lodge #1 contributed a Grayline Water Tour for the delegates of the Convention.
• February 9, 1988 - Valkyrien pledged $10,000 to Nordic Heritage Museum for the Norway Room.
• March 1989 - The Grand Lodge gave its original charter to the Archives of the Mortvedt Library at Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma. Embla Lodge #2 also placed their historic banner with the Library.
• January 17, 1991 - King Olav V of Norway died. King Harald V and Queen Sonja were consecrated at Nidaros Cathedral in Trondheim. Sonja was the first Queen of Norway in 50 years and the first Norwegian born queen in nearly a millenium.
• June 24-27, 1992 - Valkyrien Lodge #1 hosted the 48th Grand Lodge Convention. Louise Thomas and Karin Scovill co-chaired the event at the University Plaza Hotel, Seattle. Susan Stamp became Grand Lodge President.
• May 17, 1993 - Dagny Shervheim was Honorary Marshal of the Syttende Mai Tog (Parade) in Ballard.
• 1994 - Solveig Lodge #31 and Gina Krog Lodge #38 co-sponsored the 49th Grand Lodge Convention at the Double Tree Inn adjacent to South Center Mall. Sylvia Rogenes became Grand Lodge President.
• October 25, 1995 - King Harald and Queen Sonja dedicated a historical mural at Bergen Place in Ballard and were feted at Leif Erikson Hall and with a Banquet at the Westin Hotel. Sister Anne Marie Frodesen Steiner was instrumental in the mural project.
• October 28, 1995 - Valkyrien #1 celebrated its 90th Anniversary with a luncheon at the Nordic Heritage Museum in Seattle.
• December 1995 - Kathleen Young Nesseth and Carol Helene Pease, both from Valkyrien Lodge #1, became co-editors of Døtre av Norge.
• 1996 - Embla Lodge #2 hosted the 50th Grand Lodge Convention in Tacoma, Washington. Janet Ruud was acting president of the Grand Lodge, because of Sylvia Rogenes' illness. At the meeting Janet became President of the Grand Lodge. One of the outcomes of the convention was a renewed emphasis on the support for children's programs in the lodges.
• November 1996 - Judge Sylvia Rogenes died of cancer at her home in California. Susan Stamp of Solheim Lodge #20 returned as Judge.
• September 1997 - Grand Lodge President Janet Ruud received a telegram of congratulations from Queen Sonja of Norway on the founding of Nina Grieg Lodge #40 in Poulsbo, Washington.
• November 1997- Laura Elizabeth Hansen of Valkyrien Lodge #1 joined the staff of Døtre av Norge while Carol Helene Pease worked in Norway for a year. Kathleen Nesseth became Managing Editor.
• 1998 - Anna Kolbjørnsdatter Lodge #36 hosted the 51st Grand Lodge Convention in the Bay Area of California. Kay Aycock of Solveig Lodge #31 became Grand Lodge President.
• July 13-16, 2000 - Sonja Henie Lodge #29 hosted the 52nd Grand Lodge Convention in Reno, Nevada, with the theme "Bringing Norway to the Old West." One of the outcomes of the convention was an understanding of the roll of Norwegian John A. "Snowshoe" Thompson in the founding of the American West. Karin Scovill of Valkyrien Lodge #1 became Grand Lodge President.
• October 2000Laura Elizabeth Hanson became Business Manager for Døtre av Norge. Kathleen Nesseth and Carol Pease resumed as Co-editors.
• April 2001 - The Grand Lodge web site was publicly unveiled with a web page for each extant lodge.
• July 2002 - Frida Hansen Lodge #37 hosted the 53rd Grand Lodge Convention in Portland, Oregon. The convention delegates and officers of the Grand Lodge sent a 70th birthday greeting to Honorary Member Princess Astrid of Norway. Joanne Mansfield of Frida Hansen Lodge became Grand Lodge President.
• November 1, 2002 - The Daughters of Norway web site name changes to "daughtersofnorway.org" after a modern-day pirate takes the name "dofn.org."
• July 2004 - Ester Moe Lodge #39 hosted the 54th Grand Lodge Convention ("Nordic Sails to Whidbey's Shores!") in Freeland, Washington. This was the first convention held on an island, Whidbey (north of Seattle), and island hospitality and bed and breakfasts charmed everyone. Tove Van Der Maas, of Prillar Guri Lodge #30, was elected Grand Lodge President. Kathleen Nesseth announced her upcoming resignation as Co-editor of the Døtre av Norge Newspaper
• October 2004 - Carol Pease turns over the job of Webmaster for the Daughters of Norway website to Mary Ashley and Katie Allen, both of Sigrid Undset Lodge #32.
• February 2005 - Announcement of the Døtre av Norge Newspaper Staff changes, showing Roberta K. Morrow as Co-editor with Carol Pease. Laura Hanson continues as Business Manager of the paper.
• Januray 2006 - The Døtre av Norge Newspaper changed printers. The new printer is Western Viking.
• July 13-15, 2006 - 55th Grand Lodge Convention ("The Spirit of 100 Years") hosted by Valkyrien Lodge #1, Lynnwood, Washington. Embla Lodge #2's Carol Kemp, is elected Grand Lodge President.
• January 2007 - New Daughters of Norway logo launched, replacing all other logos used prior to that date for newspaper, website, and Grand Lodge materials. Døtre av Norge changes slogan on their banner from "Preserve our Norwegian Heritage" to "Preserving our Norwegian Heritage" in order to match www.daughtersofnorway.org website and the 2007 Grand Lodge guideline handbook headings.

Agnes (Mrs. Peter J) Berntzen [1] Anna Billings, Miss Gunda Billings, Miss Carrie Bjor[n]stad, Miss [?] (Mrs. C) Christiansen [2] Bertha Dahl, Miss (still single in 1918) H. Eggan, Miss Myrtle I. (Mrs. James) Eggan Emma (Mrs. John A.) Fossum Nicoline (Lena) (Mrs. Peter J) Hamstad [3] Nellie (Mrs. Knute) Hatlested Hanna Hendriksen, Miss C. Hovd; Miss Pauline Jansen; Miss Jennie (Mrs. O) Jørgensen Merian Jule; Miss

Olive (Mrs. Christ) Jule Gunda Tomine (Minnie) Tollefson (Mrs. Oluf) Larsen J. Larsen; Miss [?] (Mrs. OH) Lawson T. Mellan; Miss [related to 3 men of Mellan Brothers Transport?] Gertrude Melhus; Miss [moved to Yukon, stayed single] [2] [?] (Mrs. WB) Olsen [2] Carrie Pedersen; Miss Carrie Ram; Miss Bertha Ringseth; Miss Jenny Ringseth; Miss [ Mrs. Jenny Relling?] Lina Ringseth; Miss [Jenny H.] (Mrs Louis S) Schreuder [2] Ingeborg (Mrs. Knut) Tone, widow by 1919 Anna Twet; Miss

[1] First President of Valkyrien Lodge in 1905.
[2] Four organizers of Valkyrien Lodge in 1905
[3] First President of Grand Lodge in 1908.
-CH Pease, October 1995, revised February 1996, January 2000, March 2001.
-KAMA (K Allen &/or M Ashley), revised November, 2004, February 2005, July 2006, November 2006. [Return to Top]