Aug. 25, 2018: Historic Marker for the Norway Building

On Saturday August 25, 2018, an Illinois State Historical Society (ISHS) marker commemorating the Norway Building was dedicated in Jackson Park on the exact site where the building stood during the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition.

A delegation of Norwegians traveled to the event from Orkdal—where the building was originally constructed and then returned to in 2017 as a museum and heritage center (see “The Long Journey of the Norway Building.“) They were joined by members of the Norwegian-American community of Chicagoland, representatives of the Jackson Park Council, and World’s Fair enthusiasts for the dedication ceremony, held at noon under beautiful skies.

The group met at the marker, installed on the north side of Science Drive, southeast of the Museum of Science and Industry and just off S. Lake Shore Drive. Before its unveiling, an ISHS banner covered the marker, which was by sponsored by the Directorate of Cultural Heritage, Norway and ISHS.

Arne Asphjell, event organizer from Trondheim, Norway, welcomed attendees to the ceremony and revealed the marker, which reads:

The Norway Building stood on this site for the 1893 World’s Columbian Exhibition. After the Fair Chicago millionaire C.K. Billings purchased the structure and moved it to his estate in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. William Wrigley of chewing gum fame later became the owner. In 1935 the building was purchased by Isak Dahle and moved to Little Norway in Blue Mounds, Wisconsin, an outdoor museum showcasing Norwegian heritage. In 2015 the Norway Building was brought back to Orkanger, Norway, where it had been originally constructed and was again rebuilt. The Norway Building is modeled after the Norwegian stave churches of the Middle Ages. It is one of the few buildings from the Exhibition in original condition and the only one to return to its country of origin.

Russell Lewis, Chief Historian at the Chicago History Museum and Treasurer and Past President of the Illinois State Historical Society, then spoke about the 1893 World’s Fair and the importance of preserving its history. He noted that this is the only ISHS marker in Jackson Park or about the WCE.

Erling Hansen, tour leader for the Norwegian delegation, then read a letter from the Mayor of Chicago:

Dear Friends:

As Mayor, and on behalf of the City of Chicago, I am pleased and proud to welcome all those gathered for the dedication ceremony and installation on a Historic Marker for The Norway Building.

Commissioned by Norwegian officials for the 1893 World’s Fair, The Norway Building was a symbol of cultural pride for the Norwegian people and modeled after the stave churches that was a common sight on the Norwegian landscape during the Middle Ages. After the Fair, The Norway Building was moved to Lake Geneva, Wisconsin and then to Little Norway in Blue Mounds, Wisconsin. After serving as a tourist attraction for years, The Norway Building was in much need of repair and in 2015 it was moved again, this time in Orkdal, Norway, where it was originally built. After a number of years of renovation, The Norway Building reopened in September of 2017.

Originally located in Jackson Park on the South Side of Chicago, the exact location of The Norway Building has been found. In a collaboration with The Norway Building Support Group and the Chicago Park District a special Historical Marker will be erected at this location to commemorate the Norway Building and its journey through the United States and back home. This ceremony also celebrates Norway’s vibrant history and culture and their impact at the 1893 World’s Fair.

I hope you have an enjoyable event and submit my best wishes for much continued success.

Sincerely,
Rahm Emmanuel, Mayor

Jon Satrum from the Sons of Norway (Palatine, IL) offered a greeting and appreciation on behalf of the Norwegian-American community. Mr. Asphjell then presented a history of the Norway Building (with photographs) along its journey from Norway to Chicago to Wisconsin, and back to Norway.

As a souvenir of the event, the Norwegian delegation issued a numbered program (limited to fifty copies) for attendees of the dedication ceremony.

[We offer our appreciation to Gay Dybwad, World’s Fair historian, author, and collector, for keeping us informed about this event.]