The Wergeland Lodge #28 (La Crosse, Wis.) was organized Dec. 11, 1903 with 17 charter members. Otto M. Gilbertson served as the first president from 1903-1904. Meetings were held at the Independent Order of Odd Fellows hall on Fourth Street between Pearl and Main streets. In 1978, the membership totaled more than 400.
The lodge's newsletter was begun in 1969 and is called the
Budstikken and is still being published. In an effort to continue Norwegian dancing traditions, the Sons of Norway Wergeland dancers was formed to teach and encourage young people the traditional folk dances. The children are dressed in colorful native costumes.
Members of the Daughters of Norway merged with the Sons of Norway beginning in 1951 and joined completely by 1969, while the Coon Valley Helgedalen Lodge #199 merged with the La Crosse Wergeland Lodge #28 in about 1975. Wergeland Lodge held a 75th anniversary banquest in 1978. They were named "Lodge of the Year" in 1978. Many other 5th District Awards were received through 1999. The lodge hosted the 5th District's 37th Biennial Convention in La Crosse in 1984. Bernice Berg was named "President of the Year" in 1988 at the Fifth District Sons of Norway convention. The organization is still going strong.
