Cultural Programs – Descriptions and Presenters

The Real Valkyrie presented by Nancy Marie Brown session by zoom 50 minutes

In 2017, DNA tests revealed to the shock of many scholars that a Viking warrior in a high-status grave in Birka, Sweden was actually a woman. What does the Viking world look like if we abandon our gender stereotypes? In this presentation, based on her book of the same title, Nancy Marie Brown weaves together archaeology, history, and literature to imagine the life and times of this one warrior woman in the Viking Age—and through her to show that Viking women had more power and agency than historians had imagined.

Nancy Marie Brown is the author of The Real Valkyrie, Looking for the Hidden Folk, The Far Traveler, Ivory Vikings, and other highly praised books of nonfiction. As a writer she asks, what have we overlooked? Whose stories must not be forgotten? For twenty years, she worked as a university science writer and editor; now she writes from a farm in the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont. A small herd of Icelandic horses grazes outside her window, and every summer she travels to Iceland in search of inspiration. Learn more about her books and her guided tours to Iceland at www.nancymariebrown.com.

The Impact of Vikings on History by Ken Harl 90 minute session

Kenneth W. Harl, Professor Emeritus, is a native of New York, who obtained his B.A. at Trinity College and PhD at Yale University.  Since 1978, he was the Professor of Classical and Byzantine history at Tulane University until his retirement after forty-three years of teaching in 2022.  Professor Harl has recorded eleven courses with the Great Courses, including the Era of the Vikings.  He has also led groups on archaeological tours to Scandinavia, Iceland, Italy, and Turkey.  Professor Harl has published scholarly books and articles on Roman coinage, ancient military history, and the cities of Roman Asia Minor.  He spent twenty-five years working on archaeological sites in Turkey. His new book, Empires of the Steppes: A History of the Nomadic Peoples Who Shaped Civilization, traces the little known history of the Eurasian nomadic peoples from earliest times down to career of Tamerlane (1370-1405), the last conqueror who depended on the invincible horse archers of the steppes, The book stresses the contributions of this often forgotten peoples in shaping our world today.  He and his wife Sema, a native of Turkey, reside in New Orleans, where Professor Harl continues to write and lecture in retirement.

Viking Clothing and Textiles presented by Barbara Farmer session 50 minutes

Viking clothing and textiles have opened up more opportunities to learn.  Viking women had to start from scratch, growing sheep for wool and flax for linen, which then was spun into yarn and thread.  From there it was woven into fabric; every Viking longhouse had a loom set up at one end and it was rarely idle.  No pieces of precious fabric were wasted.  Come to Barb’s presentation on Viking Textiles and Clothing to find out more!

Barbara Farmer has been a Sons of Norway member for 20 years, most recently with the Vegas Vikings 6-152.  She has served in many capacities in the organization including Cultural Director. She currently serves as Vice President of Vegas Viking Lodge.

 Sewing and alterations have long been her passion.  She worked in many department stores, bridal stores and corporate companies as a seamstress and tailor.  She has also sewn flags and banners for marching bands and advertising companies.

 While living in Chicago, she opened a business working on men’s suits, employing women from 11 different countries.  She learned much about tailoring techniques from all over the world. 

Utilizing Viking themed literature for the Sons of Norway Literature Skills program presented by Luella Grangaard session 50 minutes.

This session will provide an over view of literature including historical, sagas and fiction with a focus on Vikings. A reading list will be provide to participants prior, as well as the literature paperwork. Some work will be required by the participants prior to the session. If all work is completed prior to the session a level I culture pin can be completed in this session.

Luella is an International Director of Sons of Norway. She has held various leadership positions in Sons of Norway including District President and Vice President and continues to be active in her local lodge in Palm Desert, CA. She enjoys learning about Norwegian culture and history and has completed 3 levels of 9 culture skills programs and an addition level of the card weaving unit. In addition she is an avid reader.

Click here for pre-Convention homework.

Viking Astronomy and Navigation Presented by Laurie Mittelstadt session will be 90 minutes

Learn how the Vikings were able to sail across the open sea using celestial navigation, including instruments such as sun compasses. They also were careful observers of the sea color, waves, and birds. We will look at how Vikings viewed the night sky and the motions of the moon and planets and explore what they thought of their place in the universe.

Laurie Mittelstadt is the District Six Vice President and third-generation member of Henrik Ibsen Lodge.  She was a senior design engineer at Hewlett-Packard Laboratories. Laurie has master’s degrees in physics and astronomy from San Francisco State University, and materials science from Stanford University.

Viking Weapons and Amory presented by Rick Senzig session is 50 minutes

This session will provide an overview of weapons used during Viking times.

Rick has been an active, continuous member of Vegas Vikings Lodge 6-152 for eleven years. He has served as the lodge Newsletter Editor during COVID 2020-2022 and as the Historian for approximately five years. Rick has been our Viking reenactment expert because he was a former member of “The Wolves of Odin” Viking reenactment group in Los Angeles, CA, (a Vikings North America member club). In the early 1990s Rick was a member of the “Young Scandinavians Club” in San Francisco for three years. Rick is the author of “Safety Rules for Stage Combat” and has given historical multimedia presentations about authentic Viking Clothing and Viking Weapons. Attention to detail is his hallmark as he was an engineering electronics technician during his 40 year career. Rick visited Norway, Sweden, Denmark and Finland for one month in 2004. He is currently learning to speak Norwegian in a private class taught by a native speaking lodge member.

Architecture of Norway presented by Mitchell Trageton session is 50 minutes

The presentation examines the evolution and development of Norwegian Architecture from the Pre-historic times to present day. A study of the fundamental environmental and social factors that influenced the Architecture of the country and the continuation of the influences up to present-day Norway. Case studies include fundamental housing, churches and agricultural buildings to community-based structures and exterior gathering spaces. Prehistoric • Vikings/Medieval • Danish Rule • 19th Century • Modern • Traditions

As Senior Vice President of Architecture. Mr. Trageton is responsible for the oversight and detailed development of large-scale project master planning, concept design, construction documentation and administration. He also serves on the operations committee which provides operational oversight to all business units within the company. Mitchell joined Marnell Companies in 1987 and over the past thirty (30) years has worked on several prominent, multi-phased, complex hospitality and commercial projects including some of the preeminent hotel casino-resorts on The Strip, convention center facilities, theaters and showrooms, office and commercial developments and urban scale retail complexes. Education: North Dakota State University Bachelor of Architecture. Registrations and certifications: AIA American Institute of Architects LEED Accredited Professional State Registrations.