Valdres Samband
The Oldest Bygdelag in America - 1899

About the Valdres Samband

The Valdres Samband was the first Norwegian bygdelag (community organization) to be organized by immigrants in America, in 1899.  There was not a national culture in Norway, in part because it did not enjoy self-rule until 1905.  The Norwegians created these unique organizations because the ties they felt to their homeland were strongly centered in the specific community from which they came.  The isolation of each mountain valley contributed to differences in dialect and tradition that sometimes made it difficult for Norwegians from different parts of the country to understand each other!  Almost 30 Norwegian bygdelags are still active, loosely tied together by the Bygdelagenes Fellesraad.

Members of the Valdres Samband share a passion for researching their family history and a strong interest in the history and culture of the area their immigrant ancestors left behind.  The Budstikken, the Samband's bi-annual publication, entertains and informs with both current news about the organization's activities and interesting historical articles about Valdres and America's pioneer ancestors who came from this beautiful mountain valley.