History of Lodges
Valkyrien 53
Woodville, Wisconsin
The History of Valkyrien Lodge – 053
The charter of Valkyrien Lodge 53 was instituted on August 23, 1905, being one of the first ten charters issued by the Sons of Norway and the fourth oldest lodge in the 5th District. At the height of membership and solvency the lodge purchased a vacated church on 5th Street in Hudson, Wisconsin. Membership declined after World War II and the building was sold.
In 1982, the Valkyrien Lodge was reinstituted in Woodville, Wisconsin, a predominantly Norwegian community, with over 100 charter members. Currently, the Valkyrien Lodge draws many active members from Woodville and the surrounding towns. Our Lodge offers insurance products, as well as many opportunities that promote our Norwegian heritage, traditional foods, culture, language and genealogy.
Each year on the weekend nearest to May 17th (Syttende Mai) the town of Woodville is crowded with Norwegians and their friends as they take part in Syttende Mai festivities. Members of the Valkyrien Lodge serve a meatball dinner, pølse and lefse and many Norwegian pastries for sale. Members have demonstrated lefse making, wood carving, rosemaling and other traditional crafts. Many of our members march in the parade in their Norwegian costumes (bunads) and a local kindergarten class performs a Norwegian folk dance.
Valkyrien Lodge supports and provides scholarships to children to attend Masse Moro, the Norwegian Heritage Camp. This camp is for children from 9 to 15 years of age and is a two week Norwegian immersion experience. Our lodge also supports the Barnebirkie in Hayward, Wisconsin with volunteers and cookies for the young skiers.
Join us for a great time on the 4th Monday at 6:30 p.m. at Zion Lutheran Church Fellowship Hall, 221 N. Lockwood Street, Woodville, Wisconsin 54028. You are also invited to our free classes to learn Norwegian which meets twice a month.
The charter of Valkyrien Lodge 53 was instituted on August 23, 1905, being one of the first ten charters issued by the Sons of Norway and the fourth oldest lodge in the 5th District. At the height of membership and solvency the lodge purchased a vacated church on 5th Street in Hudson, Wisconsin. Membership declined after World War II and the building was sold.
In 1982, the Valkyrien Lodge was reinstituted in Woodville, Wisconsin, a predominantly Norwegian community, with over 100 charter members. Currently, the Valkyrien Lodge draws many active members from Woodville and the surrounding towns. Our Lodge offers insurance products, as well as many opportunities that promote our Norwegian heritage, traditional foods, culture, language and genealogy.
Each year on the weekend nearest to May 17th (Syttende Mai) the town of Woodville is crowded with Norwegians and their friends as they take part in Syttende Mai festivities. Members of the Valkyrien Lodge serve a meatball dinner, pølse and lefse and many Norwegian pastries for sale. Members have demonstrated lefse making, wood carving, rosemaling and other traditional crafts. Many of our members march in the parade in their Norwegian costumes (bunads) and a local kindergarten class performs a Norwegian folk dance.
Valkyrien Lodge supports and provides scholarships to children to attend Masse Moro, the Norwegian Heritage Camp. This camp is for children from 9 to 15 years of age and is a two week Norwegian immersion experience. Our lodge also supports the Barnebirkie in Hayward, Wisconsin with volunteers and cookies for the young skiers.
Join us for a great time on the 4th Monday at 6:30 p.m. at Zion Lutheran Church Fellowship Hall, 221 N. Lockwood Street, Woodville, Wisconsin 54028. You are also invited to our free classes to learn Norwegian which meets twice a month.
