Stevner History

 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 Telelaget. As the immigrants passed away, interest faded in the organization.  In the 1960's and 1970's, only the Northwest Telelaget continued to meet.  In 1979 a meeting was held in Fargo to reorganize a national Telelaget. The focus switched from largely social to educational - focusing particular attention on genealogical research - and its ever-growing membership has come together for a stevne every year since 1980.

Elaine Nordlie collected information about specific stevner from issues of the Telesoga and from the book by Dr. Odd Lovoll in which he chronicles the bygdelag movement: A Folk Epic: The Bygdelag in America. 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 on a regular basis.