about us

The NIA collects and preserves the living history of Norwegian immigrants to the New York area.  It enables those of Norwegian descent to explore their cultural legacy.  While making this information available to the public, it also places the Norwegian immigrant experience on the pages of New York and United States history.

This information is available to the public via four formats:

• The NIA Exhibit open to the public—Norwegians in New York 1825 to 2000: Builders of City, Community and Culture
• The NIA Research Center open to the public—A traditional print based archive located in Manhattan
• NIA Collection—A digitized collection on a globally accessible website
• Cultural and Social Events               

Norwegians in New York 1825 to 2000: Builders of City, Community and Culture
In 1995, the NIA formed to produce an exhibit, designed to tell the story of Norwegian-American immigrant life in this urban area. Through the efforts and donations of hundreds of volunteers, Norwegians in New York: 1825 to 2000 appeared at the Ellis Island Museum from April to October, 2000.

Then the exhibit traveled to the Norwegian Emigrant Museum in Hamar, Norway. Today, Norwegians in New York 1825 to 2000 can be visited at its permanent home in Heritage Hall in Brooklyn.

The NIA Research Center
The NIA Research Center resides in the library at the Inger and William Ginsberg Library of the Norwegian Seamen’s Church in Manhattan.  It offers books, files, clippings, a computer station, and a library atmosphere conducive to browsing or studying.

NIA Collection
This is our website permanently documenting Norwegian-American life on the East Coast.  It also gives access, at no cost, to those interested in learning about the contributions these immigrants made to the infrastructure of the city and the favorable social values they left as a legacy.

Cultural and Social Events
One of the purposes of the NIA is to continue the connections between New York and Norway.  The NIA hosts and co-hosts events, lectures, special exhibits, and book signings throughout the year.  Often artists, musicians, and speakers from Norway, as well as Norwegian-Americans, are featured at NIA events.