Celebrating 200 Years of Transatlantic Ties
Tom Rosseland Joins Honorary Consul Delegation in Norway
The week of June 30-July 4, Tom Rosseland joined fellow U.S.-based Honorary Consuls on official business in Oslo and Stavanger, Norway. The delegation, hosted by the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, included the Norwegian Ambassador to the U.S., the Consul Generals from New York and San Francisco, and members of the U.S. Consular Corps for Norway. The visit marked a major milestone in Norwegian-American history: the 200th anniversary of the first organized emigration from Norway to the U.S.
The week’s events culminated in an audience with the Norwegian Royal Family and the ceremonial July 4th launch of the Restauration, a faithful replica of the sloop that made the original 1825 voyage from Stavanger to New York. In a poetic nod to history, the original journey began with 52 passengers and arrived with 53 after a baby was born mid-Atlantic. Tom, who toured the ship and stood on its deck, remarked on the extraordinary conditions endured in the small living quarters below.
This year’s journey also coincided with the 900th anniversary of Stavanger and Her Majesty Queen Sonja’s birthday. Throughout the trip, delegates engaged in high-level briefings on Norway’s advancements in energy, maritime innovation, and sustainable seafood, and experienced firsthand the country’s commitment to green transition initiatives.
From fjord-harvested halibut to cherry orchards and salmon farms, the delegation experienced the full breadth of Norwegian hospitality and culture. But more than a ceremonial tour, the visit reaffirmed the essential role that Honorary Consuls play in strengthening the diplomatic, commercial, and community ties that bind Norway and the U.S.
The Restauration is expected to arrive in New York City on October 9, and Tom hopes to be present to welcome the ship, just as it was welcomed two centuries ago.
As Tom reflected, “It was a journey filled with inspiration, learning, and connection,” one that celebrates not just history, but the shared future of two nations.
