Aagot Raaen

Aagot Raaen was born in Iowa on December 3, 1873, the daughter of Norwegian immigrants, Thomas and Ragnhild (Rodningen) Raaen.  The family moved to Hatton, N.D. and Aagot attended the local schools and in 1903 was graduated from the Mayville (N.D.) State Normal School.  In 1913, she graduated from the University of Minnesota. She taught rural schools in the area and also at the Oak Grove Seminary in Fargo.  From 1917 to 1922, Aagot was Steele County Superintendent of Schools.  In 1922 she began teaching at a number of post-secondary institutions in Hawaii. She was the author of several books, including Grass of the Earth, Measure of My Days, and Hamarsbön-Raaen Genealogy, and wrote a series of historical articles for local newspapers.  She died on January 7, 1957, at Fergus Falls, Minnesota.

The Aagot Raaen Papers consist of photocopies of the original papers at the Hatton-Eielson Museum and Historical Association.  The copying was done with the permission of the society.  Some files were not copied and are indicated by an asterisk after the folder number in the Box/Folder column.  The Correspondence Series consists of numerous letters received by Aagot Raaen from 1904 to the time of her death.  The Personal Papers Series documents Aagot Raaen's personal life.  Included are her personal, handwritten diaries for the period Sept. 1939 to Sept. 1941.  They are very detailed, documenting her teaching in the Newburgh community, personal feelings, and social affairs.  The Research, Manuscripts, and Published Writings Series documents Aagot Raaen's interest and work in researching and writing local history, some of which was published in newspapers and periodicals. 
 

Literary, Music and Theater  Women