Escape with Karen and Maggie Mae: LITTLE NORWAY

Velkommen
That is Welcome to Little Norway, WI. What a wonderful day. I traveled just outside of Madison WI to this authentic fully restored Norwegian farm. In 1850's Osten Olson Haugen bought 40 acres at $1.25 per acre to farm. The first 18 months he and his wife lived in a 8 X 10 cave they dug out of the earth. They had their first of 4 children born while living in this cave. Can you imagine.
This is the entrance to the cave. We were not allowed in there, probably to dangerous after all those years.

They eventually built this family home called a Stue

It probably felt like a mansion after living in such a small place and it had windows.

All of the buildings were built apart from one another because of the threat of fire. This one is the food storage building called the Stabbur. It is set up off the ground to prevent animals from getting to their food.

This is the sod roof cabin. This type of roof provided excellent insulation, both in the winter and summer.

Little Norway has a huge collection of antiques. Here are just a few of the pictures from the different buildings.

They also had authentic garments representing various regions of Norway. All are hand made. They were made for girls about the age of 12. Since each garment could take up to a year to make, they were made with extra large seams to allow the dress to be "let out" as the child grew. Very smart.

The only building on the farm that did not date back to the original farm is "The Norway Building" In the winter of 1892/1893 near Trondheim Norway, this example of an original Stave Church was build for the 1893 Chicago World Fair. It was taken apart like tinker toys, and erected in Chicago. After the fair was over, a wealthy Chicago businessman bought it and had it transported to Lake Geneva WI. The building was passed down, eventually becoming the property of the Wm. Wrigly family (as in Wrigly gum and field). In 1935 it was moved for the last time, to Little Norway.