Norumbega Lodge No. 3-506 was instituted on September 19, 1970, at the Marriott Hotel in Newton, MA, with the sponsorship of Washington Lodge No. 428. In 1976, the Lodge found itself host for the Third District Convention in Boston. Involving the participation of over ninety percent of Lodge membership, this convention left impressions - best planned, best carried out, most heritage and cultural d
isplays. Then there are the many successful Scandinavian Fairs that the Lodge has sponsored over the years on an annual basis. They have taken place in Waltham, Concord, Wellesley, Natick, and Acton. They continue to provide opportunities for fraternalism and public awareness and to furnish the means of funding the Lodge's activities and numerous charitable contributions. Also of great benefit has been the involvement of many Lodge members in Ski-for-Light. This involvement started at the 1977 Woodstock, Vermont, Ski-for-Light program, and has continued ever since. Norumbega Lodge has taken part with enthusiasm in welcoming the Norwegian cadet training ship, "Christian Radich" to Boston in two massive Op Sail - Tall Ships events in Boston. In 1976, Norumbega Lodge was fortunate in being able to sponsor a cocktail party aboard the ship. On the return of the Christian Radich in 1992, Lodge members individually entertained crew members, and the Lodge held a special party for them. The Lodge has been eager and willing to participate in all public opportunities in the area to display Norwegian culture - such as International Fair at Boston's World Trade Center, Scandinavian Day at Newton Free Library, and the Cultural Diversity Festival at Boston University Medical Center. Members also participated, on behalf of the Lodge, in Whole World Celebrations in Boston, Norway Day at the New England Aquarium, Southborough Heritage Day, United Nations Day in Acton, and the Burlington Cultural Festival. With other Sons of Norway Lodges in New England, Norumbega Lodge took part in a very special project - restoration of the Leif Erikson statue on Commonwealth Avenue in Boston. Funds were raised from individuals and all Scandinavian organizations, including Norumbega Lodge. The statue was fully restored and was rededicated on Leif Erikson Day, October 9, 1988, following a parade down Commonwealth Avenue. Parts extracted from material submitted by Vera R. Gregg, 1986, and Jean M. Husher, 1994
