Part of a series of stories leading to the centennial of the Poulsbo Sons of Norway lodge
POULSBO — Just as Poulsbo’s Norwegian residents put out the welcome mat for the city’s earliest immigrants, so did Little Norway for Jim Henry and his Scottish-born wife.
Henry said there were no other African-Americans in Poulsbo when he moved here in 1982. When he and his wife, Ann, moved into the Norwegian Wood neighborhood, “people brought cakes to the house,” he said. “We never had that before.”
He retired from the Navy in 1986, and was appointed by Mayor Mitch Mitchusson to the Planning Commission in 1991 and appointed to the City Council in 2000. When he ran for a full term two years later, the Sons of Norway hosted his election night party.
He was told that he could join the Sons of Norway because his wife is of Nordic ancestry; Vikings and Norse settlers established colonies in Scotland as early as the 8th century.
In the ensuing years, “They made me feel like I was from Poulsbo,” he said. “At no time have I not felt like I was not a son of Norway … I’ve never heard the term, ‘For Norwegians only.’ ”
Henry ran for president of the Sons of Norway a few years later and lost by one or two votes.
Poulsbo’s Sons of Norway lodge is an increasingly diverse organization; one member’s forebears came from Lebanon. All members are drawn to the lodge by an interest in Scandinavian culture and a desire to participate in endeavors that make a positive impact in the community.
Henry was introduced to Norwegian culture as a student in a Chicago suburb. The area had a large Norwegian population and the culture “was part of the curriculum,” he said. (As was customary in 1950s America, there wasn’t much taught about the African experience in America.)
The future Navy warrant officer was captivated by stories about Norwegian seafaring traditions. He enlisted in the Navy in 1955, spent much of his early career on submarines on the East Coast and in Scotland, was promoted to warrant officer in 1966 and was transferred to Keyport in 1981. He retired from the Navy in 1986.
Henry is interested in all of the cultures that make up the fabric of this place, and sees them as having an important role to play in its future.He is a liaison between the City of Poulsbo and the Suquamish Tribe, and is active in the Suquamish Warriors veterans organization.
As a member of the Sons of Norway, he helps keep alive that chapter of Poulsbo history, too.
Norwegian immigration “is part of the history of this place, second only to the Suquamish,” he said. “And Norwegian culture is part of the uniqueness of Poulsbo.” Leavenworth’s Bavarian theme? Adopted. “But Poulsbo has the distinction of truly being a Norwegian town.”Henry visited Norway and Sweden in 1962. He said it’s easy to see Poulsbo’s appeal to Scandinavians, who found scenic beauty and resources similar to those in their native land.
“You tend to go someplace familiar to you. Fly over Poulsbo by seaplane and all you have to do is look down and you can see why they came here.”
SONS OF NORWAY CENTENNIAL
The Poulsbo Sons of Norway Lodge was founded on Feb. 22, 1916. Its yearlong centennial celebration began in June with Midsommarfest.
Here’s a list of upcoming events. Those with asterisks are open to the public.
2015
— Sept. 18: Harvest Fest.
— Oct. 2: Oktoberfest.
— Nov. 6: Veterans Appreciation Night.
— Dec. 5: Bazaar,* Julefest,* Kaffe Stua.*
2016
—Jan. 30: Lutefisk dinner.*
— Feb. 20: Installation gala.
— March 19: Poulsbo Historical Society Codfish Dinner.*
— April 14: Leikarringen event.
— May 16: Viking Fest.*
— June 17-19: Finale.
Trivia: Henry said the horned helmet on the “Norseman,” the Viking sculpture on Viking Avenue and Lindvig Way, may not be as historically inaccurate as some may think.
Sure, actual Vikings did not have horns on their helmets. But priests of the day added horns in their depictions of Vikings, in an effort to demonize them. So, horned helmets predate Wagnerian opera figures by several centuries, and are a reminder of early religious conflict in Europe.
