Annual Ice Cream Social at the Former Governors’ Mansion

Mark your calendars for the Annual Ice Cream Social at the Former Governors’ Mansion State Historic Site in Bismarck on Sunday, Aug. 10, from 1 to 4 p.m. This year’s free, family-friendly event is part of the Crossings200 commemoration celebrating the 200th anniversary of the first organized Norwegian immigration to North America.

Visitors can expect an afternoon steeped in Nordic culture, live music, hands-on heritage activities, and—of course—ice cream. Hosted by the Society for the Preservation of the Former Governors’ Mansion, the State Historical Society of North Dakota, and Sons of Norway Sverdrup Lodge, the event kicks off with the Civil Air Patrol Color Guard presenting the colors, followed by an afternoon of traditional music, cultural activities, and Scandinavian snacks.

Enjoy ice cream with traditional lingonberry topping, hot dogs (try one wrapped in lefse), and plenty of Norwegian flair. Bring lawn chairs and soak up the sounds of Grand Forks Nordic folk duo Project: Constellation and Bismarck accordion player Victor Schwahn. Bismarck Sverdrup Lodge musicians will add to the festive mood with violin, fiddle, piano, and vocal performances.

Hands-on heritage fun includes:

• Photo ops as a Viking warrior or Edvard Munch’s "The Scream"

• A small exhibit on the bicentennial of Norwegian immigration and beautiful Norwegian artifacts

• Woodcarving demonstrations by the Flickertail Woodcarvers

• Activities include rosemaling, naming your dragon, and getting a temporary tattoo

The celebration also honors North Dakota’s broader immigrant story, past and present. Representatives from Global Neighbors will share today’s immigration experiences. In 1915, more than 79% of North Dakota’s residents were immigrants or their children. Four governors who lived in the mansion were born abroad, and six more were first-generation Americans.

For more information, contact Site Supervisor Johnathan Campbell, 701.328.9528 or [email protected]. The Former Governors’ Mansion, 320 East Ave. B, Bismarck, is managed by the State Historical Society of North Dakota. Admission is free. The site will be open daily 9 a.m.-5 p.m. through Sept. 1. Additional upcoming programs sponsored by the State Historical Society of North Dakota can be found at history.nd.gov/events.