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About Hol Historielag

Hol Historielag is a local history society in Hol Municipality, located in Hallingdal. It was founded in 1987, and since 2005 the association has published the annual yearbook Under Hallingskarvet.

The society has seen steady growth in membership. In 2019, the organization had over 400 members – a significant increase compared to earlier years.

Purpose and Activities

The society aims to:

  • promote awareness of Hol's history by highlighting local culture, traditions, working life, and ways of living
  • preserve ancient monuments and other cultural heritage sites
  • gather and share knowledge about local history, often in collaboration with museums and the local archive

Hol Historielag actively works to document and preserve cultural heritage. This includes clearing and marking old historical trails such as the church path between Vats and Hol, and restoring former crofts and homesteads. The society has also taken the lead in preserving old grave markers and raising awareness of local heritage.

The group regularly hosts events on local history topics, organizes walking tours in different villages, and arranges excursions to historical sites both within and outside the municipality.

One of the first projects the society undertook was erecting a memorial for Kristian Øvrevollseie. Hol Historielag has also contributed to the registration of place names and participated in the national SEFRAK building survey. Collecting and digitizing old photographs has been a key part of their work, and local elders have been encouraged to write down their life stories.

Publications

Sharing local history is a central mission. Some of their publications include:

  • Under Hallingskarvet – annual yearbook published since 2005
  • Gamle Hol i penn og pensel (2015) by Bjørn Dymbe
  • Bak rattet – bussar i Hol gjennom tidene (2010), edited by Knut Medhus
  • Lokalhistorisk vegvisar for Holsbygda, Mogrenda, Vestlien og Holsåsen (1999) by Knut Medhus
  • Lordane Garvagh – pionerar i fjella våre (2013) by Knut Medhus and Eivind Østbye
  • Vår nære fortid (2013) by Osvald Medhus
  • Nils Slåtto (1904–1944) – ei minnebok (2012) by Olav Slåtto Odden
  • Den mangfaldige Ulf Kløve – trollmann i turisme (2012) by Arne Skogheim
  • Pionérfotografane i Hol (2014) by Torleiv Ødegård et al.
  • Gamle tufter i Sudndalen (2013)

Leaders Through the Years

  • Per Bremnes (1987–1988)
  • Harald Dalen (1988–1989)
  • Per Bremnes (1989–1991)
  • Harald Dalen (1991–1994)
  • Lars Nygard (1994–1995)
  • Sigmund Lauvrud (1995–1996)
  • Maria Søndrål Wick (1996–1998)
  • Reiar Aasberg (1998–2003)
  • Knut Medhus (2003–present)