Lodge History - Faerder 109
A "Penny post card" from deceased Brother G.A. Røberg to the newspaper "Skandinaven" in Chicago forwarded to Lauritz Stavnhelm, secretary at the Home Office in Minneapolis, about Sons of Norway's work and goals was the start of organizing the first Sons of Norway Lodge in the eastern part of the United States. The lodge was named Færder after the lighthouse in Oslo fjord; and like Færder Fyr is a guiding light on the Norwegian coast so has Færder Lodge been a guiding light for Sons of Norway lodges on the Eastern Seaboard of the United States.
The first meeting was called on Thursday December 8th, 1910, at Prospect Hall in Brooklyn, New York. Seventeen members signed up the same night. At the next meeting on December 29th, nine more members signed up. On January 6th, 1911 Færder Lodge #109 was instituted in Prospect Hall with 26 Charter members. One of them, Brother O.C. Christopher, celebrated his 100th birthday on March 10th, 1985. He is also known as the Father of the Third District. Brother G.A. Røberg was the first president of the lodge.
The lodge has had its ups and downs. During the depression years it initiated what was called a "resting membership", so that the lodge could keep their members even if they were unable to pay their dues. During this time the lodge lost all its monies. The Building Fund in the Norsemen Assembly also was lost.
From then on there was only one way to go - forward. The lodge grew to over 800 members at one time. Færder members have held offices on the Third District and the International Board; and have also been very active delegates to the Third District and the International Conventions through the years.
A proposal from Færder Lodge started the sales of the popular "Maiblomst" in the Third District. The income went to the Norwegian Tuberculosis Fund and the Third District Old People's Fund.
The First issue of "Færder Glimt" came out on June 7th, 1937. The price was 2¢ and a booster cost $1.00 a year.
Færder Lodge has been very active in the Norwegian Colony in Brooklyn and supported numerous charities such as the Norwegian Children's Home, the Norwegian Christian Home, Eger Home, Camp Norge, and the Norwegian Seamen's Church and during the Second World War: Red Cross, President Roosevelt's Fund, War Fund and American Relief for Norway, Little Norway and Norske Sjømenn's Gave Fond. In the later years, the lodge also has supported BRAVO (a local volunteer ambulance service), Sons of Norway Foundation, Ski for Light, Vinland Center, and Third District Charitable Trust Fund. Many of the lodge members donated monies to Land of the Vikings when it was purchased. Færder members put in many hours of labor at LOV remodeling two rooms with adjoining bathrooms and also supplying furniture and decor. One room was paid for by the lodge and the other by Zone #1.
On April 11th, 1940, Færder Lodge was the first Sons of Norway Lodge to donate $700.00 to "Norgeshjelpen." Together with Daughters of Norway Lodge "Urd" they donated a completely furnished room to the Norwegian Children's Home in Brooklyn and a "Færder Hybel" at the Norske Sjømenns Hvilehjem Eidsvold in Katonah, New York.
Through the years the lodge arranged many events where well-known persons from Norway gave lectures; and after awhile Færder Forum was started. At these meetings lively discussions followed after each lecture. Færder Lodge was also a member of the Norske Nasjonal Forbund. From the beginning, the lodge has been working hard to have Leiv's Viking Ship in a parade through Brooklyn's streets. It also was an active member of "Norsk Fylking."
 Every year in December a Roald Amundsen Minnefest was arranged by the lodge in the Norwegian Seamen's Church in Brooklyn. This festivity was later changed to "Høvdingfest" and sponsored by Sons of Norway Zone #1. Every year a famous person was featured as "Høvding" and a program was arranged around him or her. It was a very popular event for the Norwegian community for many years. Other festivities that became a tradition was the Annual 17th of May Fest, Everybody’s Birthday and Old-Timer’s and Past Presidents’ Night.
Stortings President C.J. Hambro was an honorary member of Færder Lodge.
Færder Lodge also had an Amateur Group, which was very popular.
On October 3rd, 1943 a Junior Lodge was instituted. The membership reached over 200 at one time. It was organized by Carl W. Refsland and was in existence for many years.
The Færder Drill team was organized in 1956 by Dagfinn Moe, who was the lodge president at that time. The first performance was for the installation of officers of Færder Lodge in January 1957. Hjørdis Hansen was the leader for the first ten years, Torny Berntsen the following eight and Arnt Arntsen for the last ten years.
They were busy during Installation time every year and did a lot of traveling around New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts and Connecticut. They also installed the new officers of the Third District at the Convention in New York in 1968. Unfortunately, the Drill team was dissolved in 1984.
In November of 1972 a dream was finally realized when Færder House was purchased. We had our own home in which we took great pride. The members put a lot of work into keeping this home in a good condition. In November of 1992, we were able to "burn the mortgage" and own the building free and clear.
Færder Singers were organized in the fall of 1975 by then President Frank Bolstad. Richard Feingold was the first director. He resigned in 1983, due to illness, and Steven Kotch took over and later Otto Sirnes. The singers were active for about ten years in the community singing in various churches, hospitals, nursing homes and other local events. The choir was supported by a very active Ladies Auxiliary.
In order to take advantage of the booming real estate market in Brooklyn, Færder House was sold in 1997. The lodge is currently meeting at the Danish Club, Where members, for a nominal cost, can enjoy a scrumptious dinner and great fellowship.
Unfortunately, the lodge membership has become smaller, due to several reasons. Being the oldest lodge in the Third District, our membership was old in years, so a large number is now deceased. Also a factor is the minimal number of immigrants coming into our area and the move to suburbia by some former members. The lodge is working hard to generate interest for Sons of Norway in the second and third generation descendants of our forefathers, and we do hope that some of our younger members will be interested enough to take over and continue to preserve our Norwegian Heritage and culture, so that it will live on for years to come and Færder Lodge can face the future with hope.
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