Telelaget of America Will Host the 2026 7+Lag Stevne

The planning committee has chosen Stoughton, Wisconsin, as the location for next year's 7+Lag Stevne!

Stoughton is located just 15 miles south of Wisconsin’s capital city of Madison. Stoughton has over 13,000 residents and is built along the banks of the scenic Yahara River. The town is named for a man who bought land there in 1847.

But it wasn’t until after the Civil War that Stoughton became a predominantly Norwegian community. A Norwegian immigrant from Telemark by the name of T. G. Mandt founded a wagon company in 1865, which ended up employing hundreds of Norwegian immigrants. Even today, Stoughton is known for its biggest festival, their annual Syttende Mai Celebration which we all know is the Norwegian Constitution Day. A block of rooms will be reserved at a local hotel, as well as a Chamber of Commerce-generated list of B&Bs and Vrbos.

We’ll start the Stevne with a bus tour on Wednesday morning hosted by Dana Kelly, the executive director of the Norwegian American Genealogical Center and Naeseth Library in Madison, Wisconsin. We are still working out the exact specifics, but the tour will probably include visiting and hearing the Norwegian history of the East Koshkonong Church, West Koshkonong Church, Liberty Church, and maybe the Cambridge Historic School Museum. In addition, we just might have to stop in Rockdale to see the restored beer cellar!

On Thursday, we’ll have our opening session, and then the presentations and demonstrations begin. These will be held in the Sons of Norway Mandt Lodge 5-314. This handicapped accessible two story lodge is located right next door to the Norwegian Heritage Center called “Livsreise,” which translates into ‘Life’s Journey.’ It has five different interactive kiosks that examine Norway’s social and economic conditions, which led to emigration. In addition, it has a handicapped accessible movie theatre which will be showing different videos throughout the stevne.

Directly across the street is the Stoughton History Museum, housed in the former Universalist church, which was the first building in Stoughton to be placed on the National Registry of Historic Places. It also has a display of Bunads, including the City of Stoughton’s own certified bunad. Just steps away is the Chorus House, which will ‘house’ all the lag’s genealogists who are always ready to help you locate more relatives.

Stoughton’s historic downtown Main Street has many places on the State and National Register of Historic Places and is extremely walkable, which is a good thing because you’ll want to check out the following:

•. The Nordic Nook, an incredible, two-level store loaded with all things Scandinavian. One visit is not enough to take in everything they have.

•. Viking Brew Pub has a smoke breathing dragon that you need to see to believe. Dessert Café has delicious and decadent cheesecake bombs.

•. Cheesers has cheese (duh), wine, meats, craft beers, fresh cheese curds every Thursday and of course, ‘brunost.’

•. Fosdal Home Bakery’s very aroma is enticing. I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the 1901 Opera House. It is one of only four original two-story opera houses still in use today!

Stoughton is an experience you don’t want to miss. We’ll be using a lot of local talent for our demonstrations and presentations since Stoughton has…three living Gold Medal rosemalers. Hardanger fiddlers, carvers, historians and its own special charm.

Let me end this article by quoting directly from the Visit Stoughton webpage, where they encourage everyone to explore this unique city - “As you wander through our town of Stoughton, you will uncover local art, unique shops, rich history, delicious treats, and a vibrant celebration of Norwegian heritage and music.”

We hope to see you there next July 15-18, 2026.

Our website will always have the most current information on this future event.

Your Telelaget Stevne Planning Committee :
Naomi Nowland, Wendi Storhoff, Amber Walters

Sons of Norway Mandt Lodge

Inside the Tru by Hilton Hotel

Stoughton Heritage Mural

Telelaget of America Mini Stevne

Thursday — Saturday, April 24 - 26, 2025 Little Crow Resort & Conference Center 15980 MN-23 MN, Spicer, Minnesota

The Telelaget Stevne, “The Patchwork of Our Ancestors’ Lives,” is a vibrant three-day celebration of the heritage, history, and culture of those with roots in Norway’s Telemark region.

This year’s event offers a rich array of activities, including genealogy workshops, cultural presentations, engaging lectures, and entertainment with a Norwegian flair. Highlights such as the Bunad and Sweater Parade, Revy (talent show), and informal gatherings provide ample opportunities to forge meaningful relationships and explore Norwegian traditions.

There are many opportunities for member contributions and participation. Click the links below to find out how your heritage items, photos, apparel, talent and genealogy questions can help add the finishing touches to our Patchwork.

7+ Lag Stevne

Norwegian Crossings

July 9-12
Doubletree by Hilton
Austin, MN

On July 4, 1825, 52 Norwegians set sail from Stavanger in Norway on the sloop Restauration. They arrived in New York on October 9. This marked the beginning of organized immigration from Norway to North America. 900,000 Norwegians would follow.
In 2025 Norwegians and Norwegian-Americans are celebrating the Bicentennial of Norwegian Immigration.

Join us for our at the 7+ Lag Stevne to celebrate!

Registration Deadline June 20, 2025

  • Wednesday: Tours of St. Olaf Church, Bear Creek Norwegian Lutheran Church, Grand Army of the Republic Hall, and Grand Meadow Chert Quarry

  • Thursday: Classes, Genealogy, and Keynote Address from Dale Goodman


  • Friday: Classes, Genealogy, and Banquet with Entertainment from the Norwegian Bachelor Farmers

  • Saturday: Closing session with a presentation from George Olson, Bunad Parade and Entertainment





Recent Stevner

2025 The Patchwork of our Ancestors' Lives
Spicer, Mn

Photo gallery, summary, and Telenews articles

2025 Norwegian Crossings
Austin, MN
Summary, Photo Gallery
a large group of Telelaget members at the Stevne
a large group of Telelaget members at the Stevne
A woman in a bunad with a green vest holding the apron to show detail
A woman in a bunad with a green vest holding the apron to show detail
A woman in a blue embroidered bunad
A woman in a blue embroidered bunad
a woman and a child demonstrating viking weaponsa woman and a child demonstrating viking weapons
viking ship centerpiece with American, Canadian and Norwegian flags
viking ship centerpiece with American, Canadian and Norwegian flags
a woman with glasses in red festdrakt
a woman with glasses in red festdrakt
one man and eight women in bunad
one man and eight women in bunad
a woman with glasses in a grean and dark blue Tinn bunad
a woman with glasses in a grean and dark blue Tinn bunad
a woman in a red plaid festdrakt with a solje
a woman in a red plaid festdrakt with a solje

Stevner Year By Year

The early stevner (conventions) of the Telelag were truly affairs to remember with many thousands of Telers attending. Specific regional organizations were established under the umbrella of the national Telelag. As the immigrants passed away, interest faded in the organization. In the 1960s and 1970s, only the Northwest Telelag continued to meet. In 1979 a meeting was held in Fargo to reorganize a national Telelag. The focus switched from largely social to educational - focusing on genealogical research - and its ever-growing membership has come together for a stevne every year since 1980.

Below is a year-by-year list of stevner. The list was compiled by Elaine Nordlie from issues of the Telesoga and from the book A Folk Epic: The Bygdelag in America by Dr. Odd Lovoll. Many early Teler gatherings were not reported in the national publication so this list is likely incomplete; however, it does reflect the broad participation of immigrants from Telemark in these community organizations. The first stevne (tour) in Telemark occurred in 1937. Since 1992 these have been scheduled regularly.

Stevne Memories

Click on the links above for photos and summaries of previous stevner!

norwegian, american and canadian flags
norwegian, american and canadian flags