In 2016, Halden Skiklubb – a Norwegian club for Ski, Orienteering and Outdoor activities based in Halden, Norway – celebrated their 125th anniversary. This was marked with a project highlighting the social aspects of being part of the club. Starting up the project in 2009, I became the editor of the anniversary project, conducting archival research and oral history to seek out anecdotes, memories and humorous facts from the club’s ling history. The editorial group consisted of Einar Haugen, Jens Erik Mjølnerød and Arnt Edvin Andersen. Halden skiklubb archive at Høiås, Østfoldmuseene – Halden historiske Samlinger, Rød, and the clubs internal journals Gampe og Gå (1973-1999) and Tiden Ekko (1941 – 1952) stands as the main sources of the project.

Structured around the 52 weeks of the year, the project was presented as a calendar where new articles, consisting of photographs, drawings, text, interviews, anecdotes and film, was published each Wednesday at the Halden skiklubb website. Aiming at emphasising the social and oral aspects of the club’s long history, the project was shared on the internet, as this would allow the discussions and sharing of memories to continue.

Moving through winter, spring, summer and autumn, the project aims at breaking down distance across time by making connections between then and now, juxtaposing material about the 19th century founders, the 1940s resistance movement (including illegal orienteering from 1943), 1950s camping, 1980s world champions and todays children, youths and elders all meeting at the club’s cabin Høiås.

Halden skiklubbs fascinating archive at Høiås.

Tidens Ekko and Gampe & gå. Halden skiklubb’s internal journals – an invaluable historical source.

Høiås – the club cabin of Halden Skiklubb around 1906.

The project was realised with the kind support of Halden Skiklubb.

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