Object Record
Images
Metadata
Object Name |
School |
Source |
Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum |
Iowa History Era Tag |
Statewide Settlement (1869-1896) |
Chronological Tag |
The Emergence of Modern America (1890-1930) |
Catalog Number |
2018.008.005 |
Credit line |
Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum - Decorah, Iowa |
Description |
In the 1860s, a handful of Norwegian immigrants to Iowa who were followers of the State Church in Norway, or the Norwegian Synod, tried to develop a system of parochial schools where they could teach all of the subjects, including religion and the Norwegian language, as a way of maintaining Norwegian identity. The idea, however, was not popular with the people in the Norwegian Synod's church congregations because they preferred to send their children to the "common schools" or public schools to learn English and American ways. This school building, the Rovang School, was one of three Norwegian parochial schools built to provide part-time religious education in the Norwegian language. The school was built in 1880 and served as a parochial school in rural Decorah for about four decades. Content can be used with the following standards: 1st grade SS 1.23 Cultural Makeup, 3rd grade SS 3.27 Immigration and Migration, 3rd grade SS 3.28 Cultural Contributions, SS-Geo. 9-12.24 Iowans Influence Iowa Environment and SS. Gov. 9-12.28 Iowas Issues and Policy. Lessons can be formed using the Norwegian artifacts in relations and revolve around Norwegian immigrants contributions to Iowa and experience with cultural assimilation in the school system. Photos of the school's exterior and interior as they appear today are attached. For any use other than instructional resources, please check with the organization that owns this item regarding copyright restrictions. |
Additional Research & Sources |
The Rovang School was used primarily for religious education and students spent two week sessions in the schoolhouse, taking time off from public school during that period. The content was taught in Norwegian and included devotions, history of Lutherans, history of the Bible and hymns. Johan Hagen was the teacher and taught from 1888-1918. The creation of the Norwegian schools caused controversy among the church and among the public schools intially. In the mid to late 1800s. a high increase of immigrants was seen entering the United States from various countries. As they struggled to settle down in the country and find work, they were generally not accepted or welcomed by Americans. A term called cultural assimilation began in schools where immigrant students were taught "American" customs and to leave behind their country's traditions and way of doing things. This included what they ate, wore, how they spoke and what they learned. The method was used in hopes of assimilating immigrants into American culture. When news of creating a separate Norwegian school broke, many were worried that the school would separate them again and resort them back to the "immigrant outcast", making it hard to find work and survive in American society. The public school and the church came to a compromise that students would only attend the religious school part-time to ensure that they would not miss out on learning English and American customs. |
Notes on Related Objects |
Object is related to the following library resources, which can be found by searching the catalog number in the advanced search section: Catalog: 2018.045.013 History of Winneshiek and Allamakee Counties, Iowa 2018.045.023- History of Education in Iowa 2018.045.072- The Story of Iowa: A Children's History 2018.045.094 From Ackley to Zwingle: The Origins of Iowa Place Names 2018.045.108- For all the Small Schools: A Photographic Pursuit of Iowa’s Forgotten Schools 2018.045.109- Iowa’s Rural Settlement: Shaped by Railroads and a System of Rural Schools 2018.045.138- History of Iowa from the Earliest Times to the Beginning of the Twentieth Century 2018.045.182- A New Look at Iowa One-Room Schools 2018.045.183- Iowa History of the One Room School 2018.045.191- Iowa: The Home for Immigrants |
Primary/Secondary Source |
Significant - Local |
County Tag |
Winneshiek |
Relation |
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Multimedia Links |
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Search Terms |
Communities Education Immigrants K-12 Education (Development of High Schools) One-room Schools Religion |
Legal Status |
Ownership of this resource is held by the Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum and has been provided here for educational purposes only, specifically for use in the Iowa Museum Association's "Teaching Iowa History" project. It may not be downloaded, reproduced or distributed in any format without written permission from the Rights Holder. For information on U.S. and International copyright laws, consult an attorney. |
