NEWS RELEASE

COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA
Department of Conservation
and Natural Resources
Commonwealth News Bureau
Room 308, Main Capitol
Harrisburg, PA 17120

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Gretchen Leslie
DCNR Press Secretary
(717) 772-9101

CELEBRATIONS OF OLE BULL SET FOR LABOR DAY WEEKEND IN POTTER COUNTY

HARRISBURG (August 28, 2002) — The state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) will be hosting the Ole Bull Colony Sesquicentennial Celebration at Ole Bull State Park, located along Route 144 in southern Potter County, beginning Friday, Aug. 30.

“This September marks the 150th anniversary of the arrival of famed Norwegian violinist Ole Bull, who sought to establish a major Scandinavian settlement in southern Potter County,” said Ole Bull State Park Manager Mary Hirst. “Bull’s hope was that this colony would blossom into a series of major cities that would become a ‘New Norway’ in the Pennsylvania mountains, where Norwegian immigrants could preserve their own unique culture while enjoying liberty and prosperity.”

The celebration begins Friday evening, Aug. 30, with a 7 p.m. presentation by Roger Hellesvig, who travels the globe portraying a colorful 19th century Norwegian character he calls “Ole Oleson.” Using items pulled from his traveling trunk, “Ole” describes the typical life of a Norwegian immigrant.

On Saturday, Aug. 31, the celebration kicks into high gear with a variety of speakers and a special musical presentation. The afternoon program, beginning at 2 p.m., features presentations from:

• DCNR Bureau of State Parks Director Roger Fickes;
• Jon-Age Oyslebo, Head Counselor for Press and Culture, Royal Norwegian Embassy, Washington, D.C.;
• Gisle Handelang, Lord Mayor of Hordaland County Council, Norway;
• Egil O. Laastad, Chairman of the Board, Ole Bull/Lysoen Museum, Norway;
• Olea Smith-Kaland, great-granddaughter of Ole Bull;
• Paul W. Heimel, author of the new book, “Oleana: The Ole Bull Colony”; and
• Dr. Irving Godt, respected music historian from Indiana University of Pennsylvania.

Allowing the speakers will be an unveiling and dedication of a new Ole Bull Monument at approximately 4 p.m. The monument, to be located at the foot of the path leading to the Ole Bull cabin site, was donated to the park through the efforts of the Ole Bull/Lysoen Museum in Norway.

World-renowned violinist and recording artist Arve Tellefsen, along with descendants of Ole Bull, will participate in the monument dedication. Before and after the program, visitors will be able to walk to the site where Ole Bull’s Oleana home was said to have been constructed.

At 7 p.m., Tellefsen, a featured performer of the Bergen Symphony Orchestra, will present a concert at the park amphitheater. Accompanied by pianist Tor Espen Aspaas and a narrator, Mari Lyssand, Tellefsen will perform the music of Ole Bull. Lyssand will discuss the life and times of Ole Bull, while focusing on aspects of his music, which blends 19th century classical themes with Norwegian and other national styles.

There is no admission fee for any of the events. Visitors are advised to bring lawn chairs for the outdoor performances.

Ole Bull (1810-1880) was the most famous violinist of his time. His performances earned rave reviews throughout Europe and the United States. A decade after his highly successful U.S. debut, he returned in 1852 with the intention of establishing a colony that would allow Norwegians to escape the economic hardships and oppressive government of their native land.

Bull’s dreams were never fully realized, however, as the 300 to 500 colonists found that the Potter County terrain was not conducive to farming. Disputes over land ownership and under funding of the colony exacerbated the problems, and all but a handful of Norwegian families had left the colony by 1854.

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania established Ole Bull State Park in 1925, as a lasting memorial to the famous Norwegian. Today the park offers camping, hiking, hunting, fishing, swimming, picnicking and winter activities on its 132 acres.

For more information, contact the park at (814) 435-5000, or email mhirst@state.pa.us. For more information on any of Pennsylvania’s state parks, log on to the PA PowerPort at www.state.pa.us, PA Keyword: “state parks.”

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2002