History of Lodges

History of Fosselyngen Lodge 5-082  (Updated 2024)
Sons of Norway in Milwaukee was organized in 1908. Fosselyngen Lodge was formed in 1993, with the merger of the Milwaukee lodges.
Our name is a melding of the two previous lodge names. “Fosse” refers to cascading water or waterfall. “Lyngen” is the pale green plant found in
the Norwegian countryside. Fosselyngen loosely translates as the Lyngen plant beside the waterfall. Enthusiasm and the dedication to preserve Norwegian culture make Fosselyngen Lodge 5-082 a proud member of the Sons of Norway family. 

1950 saw the opening of a dining hall called “Norway House” at the State Fair Park in Milwaukee with profits going toward a dream of owning our own building. Norway House was incorporated on June 20, 1951 and we purchased a renovated theater at 2212 West Greenfield with a grand opening on October 17, 1959 and continued until April of 1993. Fosselyngen had several other homes over the course of time. On June 19, 1999 we began building a new building at 7507 W Oklahoma Ave. Milwaukee, WI where we hosted monthly public torsk dinners and other events. We remained there until July, 2018. We currently meet at Resurrection Lutheran Church, 12400 W. Cold Spring Rd. New Berlin, WI.

Our lodge has substantially contributed to the refurbishing of the Leif Ericson statue in Juneau Park, Milwaukee. This statue was dedicated on May 17, 1996. Fosselyngen lodge honors Leif Ericson Day by annually laying a wreath at the statue. We have been involved in Holiday Folk Fair since 1944. Beginning in 2023, we featured a cultural booth representing Nordic countries including Norway, Sweden, Denmark and Finland.

Sons of Norway lodge activities encourage expression of Norwegian culture and community support. Fosselyngen Lodge is involved in a wide variety of special events throughout the year, featuring both traditional and contemporary programs with a unique Norwegian-American flavor, such as:
- Syttende Mai events
- Heritage Camp for youth
- Family picnic
- Sponsors scholarships to members, their children, and grandchildren
- Christmas party
- Holiday Folk Fair
- Interesting programs at meetings
- Language classes
- Sons of Norway Viking member magazine (6 issues a year)
- Fosselyngen Lodge newsletter: Runespeak (6 issues a year)

The lodge also donates to several charities. We are very proud of our Norwegian heritage, and we welcome anyone who wants to learn more about their Norwegian heritage or just an interest in Norway to join us.

Fossegrimen 82 and Lyngblomsten 454 has merged since the writing of these histories. They are now known as Fosselyngen 82.