Sloopers and Restauration Program

Sons of Norway- Mandt Lodge invites the public to our “The Sloopers and Greeting the Restauration Program” with Gary Swain and Dana Kelly.

Their presentation will be given Sons of Norway- Mandt Lodge, 317 South Page Street, Stoughton, on Wednesday, July 8, at 7:00 PM.

The first organized group of Norwegian immigrants arrived in New York on October 9, 1825. In 2025, a replica of that journey was undertaken to commemorate the 200th anniversary. Lodge members Dana Kelly & Gary Swain were in New York to greet the replica last fall. They will share some history of the original voyage and some of their experiences greeting the ship in 2025. Dana Kelly and Gary Swain are active in the Norwegian-American community. Both lifelong residents of the area, they serve on the board of the Koshkonong Prairie Historical Society and are both members of Mandt Lodge, Vesterheim, and several bygdelags. Dana has a degree in Scandinavian Studies from UW-Madison and serves as Executive Director of the Norwegian American Genealogical Center in Madison.

Refreshments will be served! Everyone is welcome and no reservations are needed! Please contact Darlene Arneson at arnesonfamily5@gmail.com or 608-873-7209 for more information. Mandt Lodge is handicapped accessible with a lift located on the south side of the building. There is parking on the street, public parking lot behind the Stoughton Senior Center, or in the Livsreise parking lot if their building is closed. We always encourage you to bring donations for the Stoughton Food Pantry! The public is always welcome at Mandt Lodge!