The members of Nellie Gerdrum invite all interested parties to join them at one of their meetings or visit them at their Scandinavian Fair in Bellingham in November. For more up-to-date information contact the (lodge).
LODGE HIGHLIGHTS
Nellie Gerdrum Lodge Logo
Nellie Gerdrum Lodge members are enthusiastic women dedicated to preserving their Nordic heritage while enjoying friendship and fun.
Fulfilling a need in Whatcom County for Scandinavian cultural activities, the lodge hosts an annual fall Scandinavian Fair every November at Fox Hall, 1661 West Bakerview Road, Bellingham. This fair is the largest Scandinavian one of its kind in the norwest corner of the state. Lively music and folk dancing entertain fair goers throughout the day. Visitors are invited to join in or tap their toes while browsing Scandinavian arts and crafts or enjoying Nordic delicacies from the cafe and bakery.
Members support & many sing in the Bellingham Damekor, a women's Nordic singing group.
Lodge members and guest enjoy the friendship of other fun-loving women with a common bond. Besides monthly programs, the lodge has many field trips (Ballard's Nordic Heritage Museum; Burnaby, BC's Scandinavian Cultural Center; Seattle's Tivoli/Viking Days; Minot's Host Fest; etc). They also support the Bellingham Damekor with many lodge members singing in this group. Damekor recently toured Norway performing in many Norwegian cities. In addition, the lodge supports local charities benefiting women and children in need and the Daughters of Norway college scholarship fund.
Past programs have included:
- Rosemaling
- Norwegian Royalty
- Sing the Cows Home
- Nordic Fashion Shows
- Scandinavian Traditions
- Music & dance performances
- Cultural events & celebrations
- Food demonstrations & workshops
- Bunads (Norway's national costumes)
- I Remember Mama (sharing your past)
- Craft & Silver Jewelry programs & workshops
- Travel programs: Traveling Solo in Norway & Hiking Pilgrim's Road
- Presentations on contemporary life, folklore, history, genealogy, etc.
- Lace-making, Hardanger, Wool to Yarn & Other Sewing Programs & Workshops
Scandinavian Fair, Lodge's Annual Nordic festival in Bellingham
MEETING DETAILS
- WHEN: Second Saturday 1 of month at 10:00 am
- WHERE: Our Saviors Lutheran Church, 1720 Harris Avenue, Bellingham, WA
LODGE'S NAME
The lodge honors Whatcom County pioneer's Mrs. "Nellie" Gerdrum. She was born Petronelle Rejersdatter, in Sør-Østerdal, Hedmark, Norway, in 1856. Later, as a young women in Oslo she was trained as a midwife. Within a year after marriage to Embret Embretsen Gerdrum they immigrated to America. At first they settled in the midwest, but later moved to the Pacific Northwest. They lived in several places in Washington including Tacoma, New Whatcom, Silver Lake, and Bellingham.
During the early 1890's they were living on their homestead on Silver Lake in the Mt. Baker foothills of Whatcom County. Washington. Their first home was a small cabin, which later was replaced by a still standing 2 story structure built in 1892. This home is now a museum managed by the Black Mountain Forestry Center.
In the Silver Lake Area, Nellie was well known. As a midwife, she assisted pregnant women living in the Silver Lake area. In addition the family opened and operated the first resort on Silver Lake in Whatcom County (1902 until 1913). More . . .
- 1 Lodge does not hold meetings in July and August.
