Oscar I. Hertsgaard papers, 1909-1975

Oscar I. Hertsgaard papers, 1909-1975

P0154

1909-1975

Papers of a Minneapolis businessman who was involved in a wide range of church, civic and Norwegian-American activities. A graduate of St. Olaf College in 1908, he became a director of music at Concordia College, Moorhead, Minnesota, 1909-1913, after which he embarked on a long career as a representative for the Mutual Trust Insurance Company. He served many terms on the boards of Fairview Hospital and of St. Olaf College and held executive positions in a great many organizations. In 1939 he organized a Folk Festival, one of the events in honor of the visit of Crown Prince Olav and Crown Princess Martha of Norway. Because of his long association with Hallinglaget and his frequent visits to Norway, he was popularly known as "Hallingkongen." He was President of Bygdelagenes Faellesraadet for twelve years, in which connection he promoted the publication of "A Folk Epic, The Bygdelag in America," 1975. He received the St. Olav Medal in 1940 and the Knight's Cross, First Class, of the Royal Order of St. Olav, in 1947, from King Haakon of Norway.

2.0 cubic feet (5 archives boxes)

English

Correspondence

Manuscripts

Rights undetermined.