Roseau County Historical Society and Museum -

A question keeps arising when talking to people: “Where are you now that things have been moved to the auditorium?” Many are under the impression that the museum is out of commission and no longer operating. This is far from the truth. The museum is open and operating in the Library/Museum building in the same place it has always been. The museum is open for all visitors.

Trip to America, Part IV

“A man from the Bergen area, who had been in America before and was on his way back, was very willing to help with the coffee pots. He could speak a little English, and got permission from the cook to put the coffee pots on the stove. Then he, too could have a cup of coffee, and he liked that. One day he had trouble with the cook, and came out with a coffee pot tossed after him. He said the cook was angry with him. The next day he refused to make the coffee. I took our coffee pot and went in to the cook. He pointed to the stove, and indicated that I should put the coffee pot there. It only took a few minutes, and when the coffee was ready I took it to Mother, so she and the old lady had a drop of coffee. After that I was the one who made the coffee.

“In 10 days, we landed in Quebec, and the sea voyage was over. There was one adventure, which happened the day before we reached land. We were close to the Newfoundland Banks. There is almost always thick fog there, and there was danger from icebergs, so the ship barely crept along, almost stationary some of the time, just maintaining its direction. Just before dinner, I was up on deck, and the ship bumped something, so that everyone lost balance and almost fell. We saw a fairly tall iceberg glide past the side of the ship, and some people began to cry; but luckily there was no damage. One of the officers took pictures of it as it went past, and in the evening he showed the movie down in the cabin, using a big linen sheet as the screen. He gave a talk to explain icebergs to the passengers.

“All those who were going to the United States had to go through inspection in Quebec. The American Immigration Agent examined our tickets and opened our boxes, so that he could check the contents. He found nothing dangerous, so we could get on the train.

“It took the Hansen family 12 days to cross from Liverpool to Quebec. Here they had to part ways, as Ludvig explained, “Two of our tickets were bought in America and sent to Norway for Father and Mother, and they were for the Northern Pacific Railroad. Gune’s and mine were for Canadian Pacific Railroad, to Winnipeg, so I had to take Mother’s ticket and go with Father into the U. S. via Sault Ste. Marie, and to Duluth. Gune took Mother direct to Winnipeg.” (“Here Come the Norwegians” Carol Hanson Schwinkendorf) (Continued next week)

RCHS Footnotes

Have you looked at the Roseau Hockey photographs on the MPR website? Roseau County has received attention on the MPR site in the past, including excellent flood coverage. To see anything about the county visit the MPR website archives.

We are trying to locate Roseau County curling photographs. They can be scanned to the computer and returned to the owners. Please place them in an envelope with your name and phone number on it so they may be returned. Please name all individuals in your submitted photographs.

We are looking for wedding attire for the upcoming Bridal Review to be held in April. Some of you may feel that your gown is not special or no one would be interested in seeing it. On the contrary, your clothing is special because it was something you picked out for that special day! Contact the museum, Mary Ross - 463-2676, or Sandy Flagstad – 463-2680 if you have clothing for this program. May we suggest you ask a relative to model the clothing in the revue?