That Strong, Strong Sense of Belonging

Rural schools were the bedrock of education in the U.S. for more than a century. They were focal points for social cooperation, integral to the building and cohesion of communities, and ubiquitous on the American landscape. This is the story of Norwegian migrants, mostly from Hardanger, Norway, who built a church- and school-centered community in western Wisconsin, beginning in the late 1850s. The schoolhouses in the valley were venues for assorted entertainments and activities such as basket socials, debates, song fests, homemakers’ meetings, community picnics, and 4-H club activities. The story is shared at an intimate level, incorporating recollections and reflections from former teachers and students. The story also ties into the larger contexts of Wisconsin and U.S. history.