Draft:The Norwegian Club of San Francisco

The Norwegian Club of San Francisco

The Norwegian Club, located in San Francisco, California, is a historic social club founded in 1898 as Den Norske Klub Fram. It is one of the oldest social clubs in California, with approximately 200 members, primarily of Norwegian and Scandinavian descent. The club regularly hosts social events aimed at promoting Norwegian culture. The club was initially established to honor polar explorer Fridtjof Nansen during his speaking tour in the United States in 1897. However, it quickly grew beyond its original purpose, becoming a cornerstone of the Norwegian community on the West Coast throughout the 20th century. The club has been intertwined with many significant Norwegian milestones, including a reception for Roald Amundsen and his crew upon their arrival in San Francisco after navigating the Northwest Passage aboard the sloop Gjøa. Thor Heyerdahl and his crew also visited the club after returning from the Kontiki-expedition. Additionally, the Norwegian delegation celebrated the signing of the UN treaty in 1945 within the club's walls. Over its long history, the Norwegian Club has included many influential figures among its members, such as union leader Andrew Furuseth, gold prospector Jafet Lindeberg, aviator Oliver A. Rosto, newspaper editor and union leader Olaf Tveitmoe, and inventor and canner Knut Hovden. Originally, the Norwegian Club was a men-only establishment, while another Norwegian social club, Nora, catered exclusively to Norwegian women in San Francisco. However, in the 21st century, the two clubs effectively merged under the banner of The Norwegian Club of San Francisco, reflecting evolving social norms and values.

Sources: Aftenposte article: https://www.aftenposten.no/historie/i/mQ50xp/kampen-for-aa-redde-lille-norge-i-san-francisco Ralph Engers Book: https://books.google.com/books/about/The_History_of_the_Norwegian_Club_of_San.html?id=xXBTAAAAYAAJ