Heritage Memorialized
Costume (Bunad)
Costume (Bunad) Norwegian-American Irene Gilbertson, 1969 Wool, cotton, brass Gift of Irene Gilbertson MHAHS 2015.011.0001 |
This decorated dress is a costume known as a bunad, a Norwegian rural folk garment. Irene Gilbertson created this particular outfit to wear when she took tickets and was a host at Mount Horeb’s annual performance of The Song of Norway, a play based on the life of Edvard Grieg. Begun in 1969, the popular production became an outlet for local talent and a way for the community to attract visitors to the area. Irene Gilbertson’s paternal grandparents emigrated from Norway. She was a pillar of the community and involved in many different groups, including being a long-time participant of The Song of Norway.