Historic Norse Hall
Portland’s Scandinavian Cultural Landmark & Event Venue Since 1928
Norse Hall | Historic Norwegian Cultural Hall & Event Space in Portland, OR
As a member of Grieg Lodge, your second home is Portland’s historic Norse Hall. Norse Hall was built and dedicated in 1928 by Norwegian immigrants and members of Grieg Lodge and has served the lodge and the community as a home and cultural center ever since. Located just across the Willamette River from the city’s downtown core in the vibrant Lower East Burnside neighborhood, Norse Hall is among the last remaining original ethnic halls in Portland. It features one of the finest ballrooms in town, a large stage, a kitchen and two dining rooms, spacious meeting rooms, a beautiful library, a comfortable lounge, and a gift shop (open during major lodge events). It is a favorite venue for the entire dance community in Portland.
From the time the lodge’s charter was granted in 1910, members dreamed of a lodge home of their own. To pay for the property on which Norse Hall sits, the majority of the lodge’s total cash assets were liquidated, including funds in checking and savings accounts, and Liberty Bonds bought during World War I. Following the purchase of the property in 1925, fundraising began in earnest to finance the building The Ladies Social Club—still active today— was charged with organizing bazaars, pie socials, rummage sales, and card parties. A raffle was also planned, offering as the grand prize a “combination rail and steamship passage to Norway.”
Norse Hall was completed in 1928 at a cost of $65,000, and the mortgage was paid off in 1940. Designed by Elmer Feig, an architect known for his modern, art deco style, the elegant Spanish Renaissance building covered a quarter of a city block and was among the most imposing structures of the time on the city’s east side. Although Norse Hall has undergone some necessary modernizations over the years, it still retains much of the original warmth and charm, including the F. C. Baker wall sconces and chandelier suspended from the 30-ft. ceiling of our Grand Ballroom.
Although many heritage halls were built in the early part of the 20th century by the Scandinavians who came to America, few remain today. We are fortunate that Grieg Lodge members are so devoted to caring for and maintaining our very precious home—Norse Hall.
