Theodore C. Blegen Correspondence

We are now 254 members; six of them are life members, -- we have one more of that class in sight. We hope to reach 300 during this month.

As you will notice, things are not coming very fast, but they are coming. Publishing the year book is going to help us get members -- I am sure.

I wonder how it would be if you could get a well-written article on The Centennial? Mr. S. H. Halstad could perhaps write that for you, -- sort of a birdseye view of the whole affair?

Sincerely yours

O. E. Rölvaag

January 5, 1926

Professor O. E. Rölvaag St. Olaf College Northfield, Minnesota

My dear Professor Rölvaag:

Thank you for your letter of January 2 with its cordial wishes.

Owing to circumstances over which I had no control my address at the Ministers' Conference at Northfield was cancelled, and I did not go down to Northfield on December 31. Hence my failure to appear at your home. I was particularly sorry to miss a visit with you and I regret to know that you waited much of the day for me. I hope that I was not the cause of any serious interruption of your regular day's work.

It seems to me that it is highly desirable for the N.A.H.A. to issue a pamphlet containing a copy of the revised constitution, a brief statement about the society, and a list of members. This of course should come from the secretary. It might be of considerable value in pushing the membership work. Mr. Prestgard also favors such a pamphlet.

Your comment that Dr. Gjerset ought to write the sketch about the association does not dispost of the fact -- which I believe I mentioned to you before -- that he has positively declined to do so. He bases his refusal on the ground of ill health. I shall ask him again, however. Meanwhile I should like to get a copy of the revised constitution and an up-to-date membership list. This list will of course be increased before the yearbook goes to press, but in the meantime we shall be able to do a little editorial work on it. I presume that you can supply full names (that is, first name, middle initial, and last name), addresses (home address always), and official position (that is, wherever there is a definite professional status).

Thank you for your suggestion in re an article on the centennial. I presume that something of that sort will go into the centennial volume of addresses. Did you see my account of the centennial in the September number of Minnesota History?

My impression is that the membership work is going forward very satisfactorily, and I congratulate you on its progress.

I enclose a program of the 77th annual meeting of the Minnesota Historical Society.

Cordially yours

TCB:GH

Rölvaag

JAN 7 1926

The Norwegian American Historical Association

Member Executive Board

Northfield, Minn., Jan. 6, 1926.

Dr. Theo. C. Blegen St. Paul, Minn.

My dear Doctor Blegen:

No, there was no harm done on the 31 of December! I was at my desk the whole day, and really disposed of lots of work.

I will get a copy for you of the new draft of our constitution; I shall also be glad to furnish complete membership list up to date. We should reach 270 by tonight if we have any luck in todays mail.

But I cannot undertake to write the sketch. If Gjerset refuses, then Prestgard ought to do it. Professor Nordberg is sick, has been in bed for a month, which fact necessitates me taking over some of his work at school. I want to spend every spare moment on the membership campaign, as I think that ought to be pushed as hard as possible until our

general meeting, which no doubt will come off within the next month or two.

If Prestgard too should find the task impossible, then we draft Ristad.

By the way, when do you think you will be ready "to go to press"?

Would like very much to attend your meeting the 11th of this month, but I don't see just now how I can make it.

I don't know if Halstad is writing any article for The Centennial Book. Chances are, that said book will not be out before towards Christmas.

Kindest greetings to you!

O. E. Rölvaag