On July 4, 1825, a group of 52 Norwegians set sail on the ship Restauration to make the first organized migration from Norway to North America. Since that first voyage, about 900,000 people have followed, leaving their homes in search of opportunities and a better life. While many returned to Norway, most stayed and built a new home in the New World. Today nearly 5 million people in North America claim Norwegian ancestry.
Crossings commemorates 200 years of organized Norwegian migration to North America. It’s a year to celebrate the strong ties between Norway, the United States, and Canada. It’s an opportunity to remember what it means to take great risks and trade one home for another. And it’s a chance to better understand the movement of peoples that continues worldwide today.
Whether or not you have Norwegian roots, we invite you to learn more and join us.