Folk Dance Performance by the Norwegian group Bjerkreimsringen, Brooklyn, New York

The group from Rogaland, is touring the East Coast to follow in the footsteps of Lars Larsen Geilane. Lars Larsen Geilane from Taksdal in Time municipality started the first organized immigrant travel to America in 1825. He bought and rebuilt a small boat (“slupp”) to the famous “Restaurationen”, and left Stavanger the 4th of July 1825 with 52 passengers from Rogaland and Agder onboard. On October 9th they reached New York City, and then they were 53, as Lars and his wife Marthe got a daughter during the travel. Lars Geilane had made agreed with Cleng Peerson, whom they met in New York, that they should find a suitable place where the Norwegians could settle. This was before the age of the railway. They went by boat up the Hudson River and north to the Erie-canal and the great lakes. They went to Kendall, but it was not so good there. Lars Geilane settled in the city of Rochester, and there he became a shipbuilder and skipper on the Erie-canal. Lars Geilane was the first Norwegian who built his own house in America, and the house is still there. Lars Geilane and his wife Marthe cared very much for the big group of Norwegian immigrants. They helped with housing and other practical things, and up to 100 persons could stay in their house up to one week before they went further. Lars Geilane wrote several letters to Norway and warned people not to immigrate to America as long as they did not know the language, did not have money, or did not know where they should go. He had seen the problems of many Norwegians and others. There are still descendants after Lars Larsen Geilane in Rochester. The program is Sponsored by NIA, NCCHC, Lillehammer Lodge and the Norwegian Seamen's Church. Refreshments $5.
When: September 17 at 2 p.m.
Where: Heritage Hall, The Norwegian Christian Home and Health Center, 1250 67th Street, Brooklyn, NY
Info: VSteineger@aol.com