Scandinavian Connections: A Guide to Sites in Alberta

Look for a new full-color book coming this spring titled Scandinavian Connections: A Guide to Sites in Alberta. Alberta has a rich Scandinavian heritage and this informative book will include accounts with accompanying photos of more than 300 sites in the province that have strong Scandinavian connections, be they Icelandic, Swedish, Danish, Finnish, or Norwegian. Featured sites include historical buildings, schools, churches, cemeteries, museums, cairns, and signs. Also included in the book are a number of ‘Did You Know’ items that present interesting and informative details of Scandinavian culture and history.

About three years ago, Wayne Nordstrom, a member of the Sons of Norway Solglyt Lodge in Edmonton, came up with the idea of producing a ‘guide book’ that would feature sites in Alberta having strong Scandinavian connections and which the public could see and visit. That idea was presented to the Scandinavian Trade and Cultural Society in Edmonton and they endorsed the project. Much work, involving a wide variety of people from across Alberta, has gone into the project since its inception.

Scandinavian Connections contains a wealth of historical and other information and can be used for armchair reading. It also can be used to plan a day trip or a longer excursion, should you wish to visit and see one or more of the featured sites. The book and its maps can be used as a resource as you search for specific sites to make up a travel itinerary.

Wayne says, “I have a fair interest in our Scandinavian heritage and in raising awareness about that heritage. I’m looking forward to the final product. It builds on important works that a number of communities across the province produced in their ‘local history books’ and brings together in one publication up-to-date information on many sites in Alberta in which Scandinavians have been involved. The book will appeal to Scandinavian people and others throughout the province.”

We wish you many interesting hours of reading, learning about, and perhaps visiting some of the sites featured within the pages of the book. Although plans have not yet been finalized, the book will likely be available for purchase through many of the Scandinavian clubs and organizations in Alberta or through some of the churches, museums and institutions mentioned in the book.

This book is available by contacting any of the four officers.