Nellie Gerdrum
(1856-1937)
Nellie Gerdrum Lodge #41
Founded: April 10, 1999, Bellingham, WA
Meeting Details
When: Second Saturday of month at 10:00 am (Lodge does not meet in July & August)
Where: In-person meetings are held at Our Saviors Lutheran Church, 1720 Harris Avenue, Bellingham, WA
Contact Us: Click on this link to contact us. Be sure to list our lodge if you want more information from us! Please allow seven days for a return message. Tusen Takk!
Lodge Highlights
Nordic Fest Bakeri ready for customers
Nellie Gerdrum Lodge members are enthusiastic women dedicated to preserving their Nordic heritage while enjoying friendship and fun. Our lodge hosts an annual fall Nordic Fest (formerly Scandinavian Fair) every November to help bring Scandinavian cultural activities to Whatcom County. The festival is held at the Ferndale Events Center, 5715 Barrett Road, Ferndale. Lively music and folk dancing entertain fair goers throughout the day. Visitors are invited to join in or tap their toes while browsing Scandinavian arts and crafts or enjoying Nordic treats from the Norsk Kafé and Bakeri.
Members make lots of baked goods, breads, and lefse for Nordic Fest
Lodge members and guests appreciate the friendship of other fun-loving women with a common
bond. Our lodge celebrated 25 years of sisterhood with a special 25th Anniversary luncheon in
April 2024. In addition to monthly cultural programs, the lodge has enjoyed many field trips such as Ballard's National Nordic Museum and Burnaby, BC's Scandinavian Cultural Center. We support the Bellingham Damekor with many lodge members singing in this group.
Members at Norsk Fest ready to serve up goodies
In addition, the lodge supports local charities benefiting women and children in need, as well as the Daughters of Norway college scholarship fund.
Programs have included:
- Rosemaling
- Norwegian Royalty
- Sing the Cows Home
- Travel programs: Traveling Solo in Norway & Hiking Pilgrim's Road
- Nordic Fashion Shows
- Scandinavian Traditions
- Music & Dance Performances
- Craft & Silver Jewelry Programs & Workshops
- Cultural Events & Celebrations
- Food Demonstrations & Workshops
- Bunads (Norway's national costumes)
- I Remember Mama (sharing your past)
- Presentations on Contemporary Life, Folklore, History, and Genealogy
- Lace-Making, Hardanger, Wool to Yarn, plus Other Sewing Programs & Workshops
Many members sing in the Bellingham Damekor,
a womens Nordic singing group supported by the lodge
Enthusiastic Dancers at Nordic Fest
Celebrating Sisterhood!
Lodge's Name
Nellie was named Petronelle Rejersdatter when born in Elverum Parish, Sør-Østerdal district, Hedmark Fylke, Norway, in 1856. Nellie was 28 years old when she married Embret Embretsen Gerdrum on April 29, 1884 and immigrated to the U.S. in 1885. They moved to Chicago, Illinois, where their daughter Hilda Ethel was born. Embret moved his family first to Tacoma, Washington, then North by boat to the town of New Whatcom. In 1891 they settled their homestead of 130 acres located on Silver Lake in the Mt. Baker foothills of Whatcom County, Washington.
Their first home was a small cabin, which stood behind the present house. Embret began building their two-story home in 1892. This home is now a museum.