SBSCA connects Seattle with Crossings 200
- Lori Ann Reinhall
- Nov 18, 2025
- 3 min read
Updated: Dec 15, 2025
Transatlantic ties remain strong
By all accounts, the commemoration of 200 years of organized Norwegian immigration to the United States was a major happening from coast to coast. proving that the ties that bind our countries are still strong. But Seattle is a long way from New York City, where the sloop Restauration landed on Oct. 9 1825 and then by its replica 200 years later. That meant that the celebrations on the West Coast would be different, yet they carried the same significance for the Norwegian-American community here.
In Seattle, the Seattle-Bergen Sister City Association (SBSCA) is proud to be one of the major players in creating a meaningful experience for Crossings, beginning with our involvement in the festivities in Stavanger, where the replica ship sailed away last summer on July 4. We were able to share some of our experience at the Crossings Commemoration at Dinner at the Leif Erikson Lodge on Oct. 9. It was a joyous occasion with its "Slooper-inspired" menu, Norwegian music that had crossed over the Atlantic, a special Crossings-themed auctions, and festive speeches from the heart. It was an evening to remember for the 200+ guests in attendance.
Our own Atlantic crossing
But then, there was also our own Atlantic Crossing to celebrate with arrival of the Bergen tall ship Statsraad Lehmkuhl on April 23 for One Ocean Week in Seattle. The SBSCA teamed up with Washington Maritime Blue, with VP Morten Blomsø serving on the steering committee and our group providing support for the various sessions and activities.
With the strong connection between our two cities, the arrival of the Statsraad Lehmkuhl was our own Atlantic crossing to celebrate .We were there to welcome the ship, of course, and throughout the week, we provided program support, and we set up a sister cities information booth at the One Ocean Week HarborFest..
Going from one highlight to the other during One Ocean Week, there is one that stands out in particular. At a reception for the Norwegian community on board the Statsraad Lehmkuhl, presented the captain and crew with an official Crossings flag to take back home to Norway. It had been sent to us by a representative the international Crossings committee in Bergen, where it was first flown. The flag is a symbol of our history, heritage, and friendship, and we were honored to be granted custody of it and hand it over to the ship.
A second Crossings flag was sent to remain in Seattle, which we proudly put on display at our booth at HarborFest. Then, after some discussion between community stakeholders, we decided that it should be presented to the Leif Erikson Lodge in Ballard, as an important hub for Norwegians in the region and home for the big Crossings celebration here. The flag was presented as a Christmas present to the Lodge at the SBSCA Holiday Open House at the Lodge's Kaffestua on Dec. 6.
The "Slooper baby" connection
Shortly before the Oct. 9 commemorative dinner, an email came in asking us if we could find Lynn Jessica Miner, the oldest living female descendant of the baby born on the Restauration in 1825 as it made its way from Stavanger to New York City. Their genealogical research had told them that she was living in Bow, Wash., about 74 miles north of Seattle, but they had failed to contact her. A gift for her had traveled on the 2025 Restauration voyage, and it needed to be delivered.
This turned out to be a very easy request since Lynn's sister-in-law had contacted us just a few days earlier about attending our Crossings dinner together with her husband, Don Miner. We understood that Lynn was his sister and easily made the connection with her to deliver the gift, a fun Christmas present for Lynn.
