Norwegian:

In 1847, a Janesville native named Luke Stoughton was enraptured by the land now known as Stoughton for its usable prairie ground and flowing Yahara River. Recognizing the land’s potential, Stoughton built a sawmill that attracted workers from many trades to take up residence in the emerging town. Along with wheat plantings, farmers turned to tobacco to yield large amounts of the crop and brought in warehouses and sorting houses to fit the demand. These new working opportunities brought a flood of Norwegian immigrants to the area during the 1870s and were pivotal in establishing the Norwegian heritage and traditions still seen in Stoughton today.

Entering the modern world, the overwhelming Norwegian population of Stoughton continues to be celebrated in various ways. A recent addition to the city of Stoughton is the Livsreise Historical Center, which opened in 2015 to explore the journeys of the first Norwegian settlers as they immigrated to the United States and Stoughton. Open at various times throughout the week, this landmark center is dedicated to honoring the determined Norwegian immigrants who are pivotal to the Stoughton seen today.

Norwegian culture is also celebrated by the Stoughton Norwegian Dancers, a group of dedicated high schoolers who wear traditional Norwegian clothing called bunads and perform dances to traditional Scandinavian folk songs. The dancer group travels across the state from October to May and in the summer of 2023, they had the opportunity to travel to Norway, where they performed with Norwegian natives and stayed with volunteer families.

Quinn Furseth is a three-year Norwegian dancer and a fourth-generation Norwegian American.

“I feel like the most Norwegian thing about me is being a part of [the Norwegian] dancers. But obviously my day-to-day life is affected by [my family’s] actions, because I wouldn’t live on a farm or work on a farm without my great great grandpa from far away,” Furseth said. “My great-great-great-grandfather migrated from Norway to Stoughton to start Furseth Farms.”

Today, Furseth Farms continues to operate on the same piece of land purchased by Furseth’s family decades prior. The farm raises cattle and grows crops such as corn, wheat and soybeans, amongst others. Furseth and her family hope to keep the farming tradition within the family for years to come and stay connected to Norway.

“[During Syttende Mai] we make leftsa and other Norwegian foods like rosettes and a lot of people in my family have been Norwegian dancers. We also spend a lot of time downtown watching the parade and my aunt works at the Sons of Norway Lodge hosting Bingo,” Furseth said.

Syttende Mai, also known as the seventeenth of May, is Norway’s Constitutional Day and is celebrated annually as a major national holiday. This landmark day commemorates the signing of Norway’s constitution in 1814 and usually features large community gatherings to honor the past and celebrate the future. Festivities include children’s parades, traditional folk costumes, rosemaling competitions and traditional Norwegian treats.

This year, the city of Stoughton will celebrate Syttende Mai from May 14-17. The citywide event brings in hundreds of people across Wisconsin and the Midwest to visit and enjoy an authentic Norwegian celebration focused on honoring Stoughton’s Norwegian heritage and continuing the tradition for years to come. Noteworthy events of the weekend include the 54th annual Syttende Mai Classic Run, a Stoughton Village Players Norwegian Show, the 50th annual Canoe Race and a closing parade.

With over 20% of Stoughton residents having Norwegian ancestry, according to Statistical Atlas, it’s no surprise that the community places great emphasis on honoring its culture and keeping traditions alive over time. From the SHS Norwegian Dancers to one of the largest Syttende Mai celebrations in America, Stoughton is proud to remember those who came before them. Uff da!

German:

According to the Max Kade Institute for German-American Studies at the University of Wisconsin-Madison(MKI), around 40% of all Wisconsin citizens claim to have some sort of German ancestry.

The first documented group that immigrated to Wisconsin from Germany came in 1839 and settled just North of Milwaukee in Ozaukee County. Today, a considerable number of people in every Wisconsin county claim German ancestry, with numbers ranging from 24% to 57%, according to MKI. Most Germans choose to move to Wisconsin for economic opportunities. In the 19th century, Wisconsin was home to vast amounts of cheap farmland.

Arguably, the most “German” city in Wisconsin is Milwaukee, boasting the nickname America’s German Athens. When German settlers first came to the state, many farmers settled in the eastern and central parts of the state, while merchants, tradesmen and artists made their way to Milwaukee.

German heritage is celebrated throughout Wisconsin in numerous ways, including the state’s love for bratwursts and beer. Two main festivals are hosted in Wisconsin every year to honor the state’s German heritage: German Fest in Milwaukee and Oktoberfest in La Crosse.

German Fest will be hosted from July 24 to 26 this year on Milwaukee’s lakefront. The festival honors German heritage by displaying German culture and traditions through food, activities and dances.

Oktoberfest will take place from Sept. 24-27 this year in La Crosse. Oktoberfest was originally started in Munich, Germany, in the 19th century and made its way to La Crosse in 1961. Oktoberfest celebrates German culture through speciality food, drinks, and outfits.

Oktoberfest operates in a similar way to Stoughton’s annual Syttende Mai celebrations with parades, a royal family and fun German-themed activities.

Another popular celebration of Wisconsin’s German heritage happens in Jefferson. Gemuetlichkeit Days has taken place in Jefferson since 1971 as a way to honor the town’s German heritage. At Gemuetlichkeit Days, people enjoy traditional German/Polka music, food and activities in a family-friendly atmosphere. This year, the annual festival will take place from Sept. 18 to 20 at the Jefferson County Fairgrounds.

The Max Kade Institute offers a variety of resources to people interested in learning about their German heritage. Started in 1983 with a grant from the Max Kade Foundation in New York, the institute continues to provide information and assist people in researching their descendants, preserving culture and documents in the German language and sharing their resources in educational formats. The institute is home to one of the largest collections of German language materials and is a great resource for people hoping to learn more about their German ancestry.

Irish:

The United States is home to a number of people who claim Irish ancestry to some extent. From 1830 to 1920, 4.5 million Irish immigrants moved to the United States, and from 1840 to 1860, several moved to Wisconsin. Following 1860, many Irish immigrants moved away from Wisconsin after thousands of German immigrants came to the state. Today, around 11% of people in Wisconsin claim to have some Irish heritage, according to Statistical Atlas.

Across the state, celebrations of Irish heritage can be seen, especially in March. One major celebration honoring the state’s Irish heritage is Irish Fest in Milwaukee. Irish Fest is the world’s largest Irish music festival, which invites people to travel through the history of the Emerald Isle. At Irish Fest, people can experience Irish and Celtic music, traditions, and food, while also learning about the island’s history and culture.

Another way the state honors its Irish heritage happens in New London, or New Dublin. Every year for St. Patrick’s Day, the city of New London changes its name to New Dublin to honor its Irish founder and heritage. New London turns St. Patrick’s day into a whole week, starting with the local Shamrock Club leprechauns changing the town’s name to New Dublin and continues with a grand parade and Irish festival. New London’s St. Patrick’s Day parade is the largest in the state of Wisconsin and is nationally recognized as one of the largest St.Patrick’s Day celebrations in the country.