VISION

The Valley Grove Preservation Society seeks to maintain two historic churches listed on the National Register of Historic Places, both in the Valley Grove Cemetery grounds, as well as taking responsibility for managing the surrounding 50-acre oak savanna restoration.

MISSION

To restore, refurbish, and maintain both the 1862 stone church and the 1894 wood church by means of skilled labor and artisans guided by high standards of care.

To understand, respect, and communicate the historic legacies associated with Valley Grove and handed down from early Norwegian settlers.

To manage the surrounding 50 acres of land using the best understanding of how to create a landscape that approximates that experienced by the early Norwegian settlers.

To make the Valley Grove site, and surrounding oak savanna available for both public and private uses compatible with the mission.

To raise and steward funds to further the mission of the Society.

History of Valley Grove Preservation Society Booklet
VGPS commissioned Jeffrey Sauve to write a short history of our Society – 1973 to present. It is available at the Rice County Historical Society, Northfield Historical Society, and at VGPS events.
May 2022 – Norwegian Tapestries for the Stone Church
Valley Grove Preservation Society received a $9,500 grant from Partners for Sacred Spaces to commission Minneapolis weaver Robbie LaFleur to design and weave four tapestries woven in the traditional Norwegian billedvev style. The tapestries will illustrate the history of the church, its congregation, and the flora and fauna surrounding Valley Grove. LaFleur will offer demonstration lectures at Valley Grove occasionally during the grant cycle, which ends in May 2022. Watch her creative process on her blog https://robbielafleur.com under the heading “Valley Grove Tapestries.”

LOCATION

The Valley Grove GPS address is 9999 155th Street E, Nerstrand, MN 55053 Get Directions

UPCOMING EVENTS

May 21, 2022: Memorial Service

June 11 & 12, 2022:  private event

June 18, 2022: private event at Stone Church 1 – 5

June 21, 2022:  St John’s event  6-8pm

June 25, 2022:  Norwegian Weavers Guild Meeting

July 3, 2022:  UCC church service

July 16, 2022:  Memorial Service for Hazel Severson

July 20, 2022 at 12:15-12:45pm: Northfield No0n Organ Recital at Valley Grove with organist Richard Collman in the Wooden Church

July 23, 2022:  Wedding of Davin & Krista

September 17, 2022:  Ringing of the bell 13 times at  4 pm for Constitution Day

September 18, 2022 from 1-4pm: Valley Grove Country Social

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