The Centennial Exposition in Norway - Norges Jubilæumsutstilling (1914)

Norges Jubilæumsutstilling - 1914 Poster

Many of our readers will ask what the centennial exposition in Norway stands for. The centennial is similar in import to that which the United States celebrated with the big Philadelphia exposition in 1876. It will celebrate the dramatic event which marked the beginning of Norway's history as a nation.

In 1814, as the result of the close of the Napoleonic wars, the great powers of Europe forced Frederick VI, of Denmark, to give up Norway, which had been attached to Denmark for 437 years, to Sweden, and provided a ruler for 'the acquisition in the person of the Swedish crown prince, Charles Jean Bernadotte. Sweden had in 1809 lost Finland to Russia after a war, and was now given Norway in compensation.

The Norwegians rebelled against this disposition of their country and under the leadership of Prince Christo the United States. Sweden went to war against the new country and the struggle continued until November, 1814, when peace was made which led to a union on an equal basis. The union lasted until 1905, when it was peacefully dissolved on account of dissatisfaction with the arrangement.

The exposition is purely a Norway affair, and outside nations, as such, have not been invited to make exhibits. But about 75,000 Americans, formerly residents of Norway, will visit the fatherland this year, and most of this number will come from the farms of Wisconsin, Minnesota and North Dakota. On this account these three states were honored with an invitation to send an exhibit. No display of products was asked for; simply a showing of what some sons of Norway had been able to accomplish in the lands far beyond the sea.

Wisconsin and Minnesota will have booths at the exposition showing photographs of farm scenes. The Wisconsin exhibit will be largely historical and will include views of some of the old cabin homes of Norwegians who came to this country in the early days of settlement before the war.

There will also be a tribute to the Fifteenth Wisconsin regiment, a regiment made up largely of Norwegians, who acquitted themselves with great valor in the darkest days of the civil war.

North Dakota, as before stated, will present the Lincoln statue to Norway July 4th, with appropriate ceremonies. Paul Fjelde, a pupil of Loredo Taft, and a native son of North Dakota, is the sculptor.

Extract from The Iowa Homestead, June 18, 1914, Article: Midwest at Norway Fair: Wisconsin Minnesota and North Dakota Represented -- North Dakota Model Farm Will Be Seen at the Centennial Exposition This Year, Page 12.

 
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