Norwegian-American Historical Association

For those who love history, and those who seek to understand immigration both past and present, there is nothing so enlightening as a visit to an archive. Whether opening a young woman’s diary and getting lost in her journey to America; holding a heartfelt letter penned by a World War I soldier who never came home; or exploring the organizational records of generations past — these are experiences that inform and inspire us. The goal of the Norwegian-American Historical Association (NAHA) is to connect academic and family history researchers with these and other priceless primary sources for generations to come.

NAHA manages North America’s largest archival collection of Norwegian-American life. Every state and province is represented, with particular strength in the Midwest, where the highest percentage of Norwegians settled. The letters, ledgers, books, periodicals, photographs, diaries, audio and video recordings, and newspapers bring life to hundreds of thousand of individuals, institutions, and businesses that make up the Norwegian diaspora. 

With one of the oldest and largest ethnic manuscript collections in the United States, the association is a leader in the field of ethnic migration studies. 

Ole E. Rølvaag, the author of Giants in the Earth, served as the first secretary and archivist for NAHA. He initiated collection of the archives, which through later growth and careful organization, has become an invaluable source for the public and scholars of immigration history worldwide. 

Now nearly a century after its founding, the Association continues to thrive. 

• NAHA maintains a growing archive of more than 2,300 individual collections.
• Our staff fields more than 200 inquiries annually — in person, by phone, and via email. Hundreds of others research our limited online resources.
• The association has published more than 100 publications, including Norwegian-American Studies, our scholarly journal now published in partnership with the University of Minnesota Press. 
• NAHA offers regular tours, programs, and events for its nearly one thousand members and the general public. It maintains close ties to NAHA-Norge, a sister organization in Norway, as well as other Norwegian-American and academic organizations.