Everyone Has a Cousin in America – Per Tofte

Project of

Pioneerland Library System Legacy Grant SFY 2012 - SFY 2013

Fund Source

Arts & Cultural Heritage Fund

Recipient Type

Libraries

Status

Completed

Start Date

May 2012

End Date

May 2012

Activity Type

Education/Outreach/Engagement

Counties Affected

Chippewa

Project Overview

Author/Actor Per Tofte discusses the diversity of Minnesota's heritage and the culture that comes from Norway. Per Tofte speaks Norwegian during the presentation and shares information about Minnesota's ties to Norway. Presentation was held during the annual festival of "A Taste of Syttende Mai, 2012.

Project Details

Date(s) of Program: May 19, 2012, Old Milan School. Attendance: 50

Project Details: 2012 Fiscal Year

Legal Citation / Subdivision

Laws of Minnesota for 2011 Chapter 6, Article 4, Subdivision 4

Direct expenses

Administration costs

Proposed Measurable Outcome(s)

To learn about the connections between Minnesota and Norway. To learn about the heritage and culture of the people who helped to settle Minnesota.

Measurable Outcome(s)

Evaluations completed: seven (7). The responses to "What did you enjoy most about this program?" included: "The authentic Norwegian presentation." "Speaker's use of Norwegian language."
"The details of the research he had done." The responses to "What did you learn from attending this program?" included: "Everyone does have a cousin in Norway!" "There are as many people of Norwegian descent in the U.S. as there are Norwegians in Norway." "Norway & the U.S. have very strong ties – cultural & historical."

Source of Additional Funds

Pioneerland Library System and Milan Public Library, Old Milan School, City of Milan, Milan Commercial Club and Martinson Foundation. Partner Organization Contribution/Role in the Program: Milan Public Library funded the program through the Legacy Grant and also promoted the festival. Old Milan School provided space for the program. The City of Milan, Milan Commercial Club and the Martinson Foundation provided support for the Festival.