The history of the district of Eidsvoll

Abstract

Local history occupies a central position in contemporary Norwegian historical research. A large part of the historical literature published each year deals with particular regions. Some of these works are concerned with the history of particular institutions and enterprises, but the most typical group is made up of the urban and parish histories, which trace historical developments in individual towns and rural districts (bygder). The extent of this local historical research can be illustrated by the fact that, by 1962, almost 550 communities out of about 750 could boast such historical accounts in a more or less complete form, while in more than 430 communities research (or, in many instances, revision of older works) was in progress. Local historical research has its own national organisation, The National Association for Town and Parish History (Landslaget for Bygde- og Byhistorie), with its own professional organ, Heimen. The key position of this branch of research was further acknowledged in 1955, when the State established a separate institution, The Norwegian Institute for Local History (Norsk Lokalhistorisk Institutt), for the purpose of providing professional advice and research facilities. Still another step in this direction was taken in 1961 with the establishment of an associate professorship in history, with special reference to local history, at the University College of Trondheim (Norges Larerhegskole)