NORSELAND PICTORIAL POSTMARK

PICTORIAL POSTMARK
The Postal Service™ offers pictorial postmarks to commemorate local events celebrated in communities throughout the nation. To celebrate Norseland’s Sesquicentennial, a pictorial postmark dated June 21, 2008 will be offered.

People attending the event on June 21 may obtain the postmark at the temporary post office ™ station, which will be set up from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Welcome Center (Anthony’s Feed Service) in Norseland. Stamped commemorative post cards will be sold for $1 or you may bring your own envelope(s) or postcard(s) to receive the pictorial postmark. All requests must include a stamped envelope or postcard bearing at least the minimum First-Class Mailâ postage. The pictorial postmark will also be available in the park during the evening. On Sunday, June 22, the postmark will be available in the narthex of Scandian Grove Lutheran Church.

The postmark, with the date of June 21, 2008, will also be available by mail order request. Customers should affix stamps to any envelope or postcard, address the envelope or postcard to themselves or others, insert a card of postcard thickness in envelopes (to keep them flat) and tuck in the flap. Place the envelope or postcard in a larger envelope. All requests must be postmarked no later than 30 days (which is July 21,2008) following the requested pictorial postmark date. Mail to: PICTORIAL POSTMARKS
SESQUICENTENNIAL STATION
317 MAIN ST.
COURTLAND, MN. 56021-9998

Customers may also request stamped envelopes and postcards without addresses for postmark, as long as they supply a self-addressed, stamped, larger envelope with adequate postage. After applying for the pictorial postmark, the Postal Service returns the items under addressed protective cover. Marci Norell, Courtland, Minnesota Postmaster will be processing the requests. For more information call 507-359-2541. end

Norseland: Where the Big Woods Meets the Prairie

The history book is at the printer. The photo you see on the right side of the page shows a replica of the cover of our book. The committee is offering the book for sale at $30 per book. Advance purchase of the book can be made by sending your check for $30 made out to Norseland 150. Send checks to Norseland 150, 37658 410th Street, St. Peter, Minnesota 56082. If you cannot pick your book up in Norseland during the celebration; please add $5 per book for shipping and handling.

The book will be a hard cover volume of 416 pages including 445 photos. Over 100 area people have written their stories of the Norseland/New Sweden area and there are 325 articles in the book. This book will truly be an heirloom for you and your families. end

Sesquicentennial Billboard

A billboard has been displayed on State Highway 22 between St. Peter and Mankato to commemorate the June 21-22 Norseland Community Sesquicentennial Celebration. The billboard was placed early in 2008 by Bill Soderlund of St. Peter, a friend of the Norseland/New Sweden Communities. It displays an illustration done by Justin Clifton. The illustration became a collaboration between these communities, Bill Soderlund, and Justin Clifton. It was created to symbolize and highlight the heritage, the coming forth into a new land, the building, and settling of these two long standing communities, who this year celebrate 150 years of existence together under God. Along with this illustration, the billboard also highlights Norseland and New Sweden by name, along with flags of Sweden, and of Norway. end

Schedule of Events - June 21, 2008

Tours of Historic Sites-10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Norseland Lutheran Church and Cemetery; Scandian Grove Lutheran Church and Cemeteries; Methodist Cemetery; Norseland General Store; Jens Annexstad Blacksmith Shop on Allen Quist farm; Tostenston Brother’s Sesquicentennial Farm, Norseland Boy Scout Camp, District 6 School House

Pictorial Cancellation of Postcards-all day

Parade-4 p.m.

Pork Chop Supper-5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Reading of Governor’s Proclamation- 6:00 p.m.
by Liet. Governor Carol Molnau

Sharing of Talent-following the Proclamation

SEE YOU THERE!

Reaping Rewards

The early settlers made a wise decision to establish farms in the Norseland area. Our history book centers on the many families that settled and stayed here for many years and many generations. Some settlers did not stay. They moved to other areas. The August 23, 1873 issue of the St. Peter Tribune reports that Lewis Swenson sold his farm of 160 acres for $3,150 or $19.69 per acre. The farm was described as having 60 acres of timber and 50 acres of prairie under cultivation. There was a house and granary on the premises and it was located at the crossing of the St. Peter and New Auburn roads.
The 1855 Andrew Thorson letter indicated that timber land was selling for $16.00 an acre and prairie land for $1.25. This increase in land value, 1475% for the prairie ground, was extraordinary. These pioneers could reap substantial rewards for working hard and taking monumental risks.end

A Centerfold and More!

The book committee is in the process of proofing and placing photos in appropriate sections. There are many wonderful photos for us to use. In fact, we plan on having several pages with only photos and captions. The committee, in good nature refers to this as our "centerfold". It may be of interest for you to know that our book contains 69 family/farm histories. This includes nine family farm stories where the farm has being in the same family for 150 years or more. We have had 111 individuals write stories for the book and we have 327 individual articles. The total word count is 171,000 words. end

Modern Cook Stove

In 1860, a early pioneer family wrote a letter back home to Norway telling about a cookstove that was multipurpose. "And we have bought a cooking stove which cost $36, and with that one we can cook, fry pork, bake bread and make coffee, all at the same time."

This information came from Svend Svensen and Guri Sandersdatter.