District
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We are a District lodge of the Vasa Order of America. The Vasa Order is a Fraternal Society originally founded by Swedish Americans in Connecticut. The order was founded for the benefit of Swedish immigrants a century ago, but is now dedicated to preserving our Nordic culture and heritage and sharing this culture with Nordic Americans and others.
At our meetings, you will find an opportunity to socialize with fellow members of Nordic roots sharing common history and interests.
Our History...
District Lodge Connecticut No. 1 is closely connected with the early history of the Vasa Order of America in fact it is where the Order has its beginning.Swedish Americans in the state of Connecticut came together to establish our organization.
Norden #1 with 138 members had been in existence since 1893 and was the first organization to accept the Vasa by-laws. Andrew Williams was its first chairman. Kronan became Lodge #2 with its 42 members. The last Charter member Anna Holm, who died in January 1970, was from Kronan Lodge #2. George Rose, a delegate from Vikingen was instrumental in organizing Lodge Birger Jarl #3 on November 22, 1896 in New Haven. There were 80 original members with H. M. Lindblad as chairman. On December 27, 1896 Lodge Gustav Vasa #4 was started in Wallingford with 22 members and Oscar Peterson was elected Chairman. Nils Pearson organized Lodge Tegner #5 in New Britain on December 28, 1896 with 21 members. He was the first chairman as well as the first Grand Master. The sixth local lodge, was the ladies Lodge Diana, in New Haven, with 53 members, which became a reality in April of 1897.
In 1908 District #1 had 27 local lodges with a membership of approx. 3,000. At Vasa's 25th Anniversary in 1921, the membership was close to 5,800 and it continued to grow until 1929 when it reached 7,000. After that the membership declined, even though Swedish was replaced by English and there was a closer cooperation between the local lodges to make Vasa Order better known. The District adopted a common sick fund Hospital Fund #1 in 1942 and instituted Hospital Fund #2 in 1953.
In 1946 District Lodge #1 bought a piece of property from Edwin Rhodin for $1.00 on So. Main Street, Meriden, CT, which is used by the District and the local lodges as a Vasa Park.
District #1 hosted the 50th Anniversary Convention in 1946 and by this time there were 29 local lodges and 5,200 members. This tradition was followed by the hosting of the 75th Anniversary in 1971 and the Grand Lodge Convention in 1996 followed by the 100th Anniversary in 1998.
As of 2005, District #1 have seven lodges, Norden #1, Kronan #2, Diana Birger Jarl#3, Scandia #23, Three Crown #38, Karl XII #103 and Viking # 621 and there are 409 members.
Membership
Membership is open to men and women over 14 years of age of Nordic roots, (Swedish, Norwegian, Danish, Finnish or Icelandic,) and their spouses who would like to rediscover the traditions of their forefathers; and those who are not of Nordic ancestry but are committed to the promotion and advancement of Swedish and Nordic heritage and culture.
If you do not wish to apply for membership at this time, but are interested in Nordic culture or heritage, you are most welcome at our open events.
