Home > About Us > Brief History

Brief History

Aerial view of Vinland in 1980's
1976 Vinland National Center founded in Loretto, Minnesota with a bicentennial gift to the United States from the Kingdom of Norway.  Planned as a comprehensive healthsports facility for people with various disabilities, Vinland was modeled after Beitostolen Helsesportsenter founded by Erling Stordahl
  Carl Platou named first chair of Vinland’s board of directors.
  White Paper “The Vinland National Center – A New Concept in Health presented at a White House Briefing by Professor Tor Dahl, then-Minnesota Congressman Al Quie, and national experts in physical fitness and rehabilitation medicine.
  Ski for Light event held in Lakeville, Minnesota to generate support for the “Vinland Concept.” In attendance were Senator Hubert Humphrey, Governor Wendell Anderson, Congressman Arlen Erdahl, members of Vikings football team, wrestler Vern Gagne, Senator John Warner, Norwegian media personality Erik Bye, and 60 blind and visually-impaired skiers and their ski guides.
  President Ford accepting Norway's bicentennial gift to US in White House Rose Garden. Platou and King Harald V also standing. President Ford accepting Norway's bicentennial gift to the US in White House Rose Garden. Then-Crown Prince Harald of Norway (left) presented Ford with a check who in turn handed it to Platou. The money was for the foundation of Vinland National Center.
1977 State of Minnesota awards $200,000 planning grant to Vinland.  
  Minnesota delegation – including Carl Platou, Ken Anderson, Trygve Soyland, Curt Carlson, Arely Bjella, and Raymond "Bud" Keith - travels to Norway to meet with King Olav V and visit Beitostolen Helsesportsenter.
   
1978 445 Norwegian cross-country skiers come to Minnesota to join American skiers in a skiathon sponsored by the Sons of Norway and Ski for Light, Inc. to raise funds for Vinland.
  First International Conference on Lifestyle and Health sponsored by the Sons of Norway Foundation, Beitostolen Helsesportsenter, and the University of Minnesota, convened by Professors Tor Dahl, Ancel Keys, and Arthur Leon. Erling Stordahl and others make presentation, "Health Sports for the Handicapped."
   
1979 $600,000 construction grant awarded to Vinland from the US Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, Rehabilitation Services Administration. Construction planning begins.
   
1980 Purchase of building and property on Lake Independence, west of Minneapolis.
  Vinland serves its first customer (in California) through national outreach Program.
   
1981 First Vinland-sponsored cross-country wheelchair/bike trip, from Vinland to Moorhead, Minnesota.
   
1982 Classroom/chalet building at Vinland's waterfront completed with support from Sons of Norway.
   
1983 First participants attend healthsports program at Vinland's chalet.
   
1984 First National Wellness Conference held in Minneapolis, featuring activities and inspiration for people with and without disabilities.
   
1985 Sons of Norway members mount "Put a Foot" fundraising effort to pave and landscape "Trail of Lodges," making Vinland's waterfront and chalet area more universally accessible.
   
1986 Residential addition of 21 beds completed.
  Community Integration program expands with Hennepin County funding.
  Vinland School Program, designed to help integrate youth with developmental disabilities into the community, launched in St. Cloud, Minnesota.
  Jerry Seck joins board, assumes chairmanship role.
  Ric Jost, a graduate of the Healthsports program, joins staff as a healthsports trainer.
   
1987 Marty Cushing becomes executive director.
   
1988 Employment Program is created to serve injured workers, initially funded through a contract with the Minnesota Department of Rehabilitation Services.
   
1989 Employment Program begins to serve disabled veterans through contract with Department of Veterans Affairs.
  Vinland is awarded a grant from the State of Minnesota to assess chemical abuse among persons with head injuries and other cognitive disabilities.
   
1990 Residential chemical health program created for persons with traumatic brain injury and other cognitive impairments, the first of its kind in the country.
  Outpatient chemical health program established in Minneapolis.
  Delegates from the Chinese Disabled Persons Federation visit Vinland as part of ongoing professional exchange program.
  Project R.E.A.C.H. established in collaboration with Rum River (Minnesota) School District, to provide chemical health education to special education students in Rum River schools.
  Milestone: 10-fold increase in revenue since 1987 when Marty Cushing became Executive Director and added licensed rehabilitation services to Vinland's healthsports program offerings.
  Greg Jones, director of Vinland's chemical health program, receives Minnesota Head Injury Association's annual Recognition Award.
  Vinland's chemical health program honored with Ombudsman Award for Excellence from the Minnesota office of the Ombudsman for Mental Health and Mental Retardation, presented by Lieutenant Governor Joanell Dyrstad.
   
1993 First Break Your Own Barriers event held to build bridges between people with and without disabilities.
   
1994 Greg Jones, founder and former director of Vinland's Chemical Health Program receives first annual Greg Jones Award for Excellence, created in his name to recognize outstanding service to Vinland participants by an individual or team.
  Prairie Grass Restoration Project is initiated to restore 110 of Vinland's 175 acres to their natural state.
   
1995 Marty Cushing steps down as Executive Director; continues to serve Vinland in consultancy role.
  Two-year Together Outdoors Minnesota project is launched in collaboration with Wilderness Inquiry to make Minnesota's outdoor recreation areas more accessible to people of diverse backgrounds and abilities. Major funding is provided by the Minnesota legislature on the recommendation of the Legislative Commission on Minnesota Resources, with additional funding from American Express Financial Advisors and the Bush Foundation.
  Vinland receives Community Partnership Award from Opportunity Partners, Inc., Partners in Wildlife Award from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; and a mayoral resolution from the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board.
   
1997 Long-time program manager Susan Rivard named Executive Director.
  Chemical Health services are expanded to include outpatient, day treatment, and board and lodge services to better meet the needs of clients and managed care payers.
  Two-year PARTNERS (Partners in Accessible Recreation and Environmental Responsibility) Project initiated in collaboration with Wilderness Inquiry to bring inclusive environmental education to school children throughout Minnesota. Funding is provided by the Minnesota legislature on the recommendation of the Legislative Commission on Minnesota Resources.
  Vinland receives a 2-year, $120,000 demonstration grant from the State of Minnesota Department of Human Services, Chemical Dependency Division, to work with providers in St. Cloud, Grand Rapids, and the Twin Cities to provide long-term case management and follow-up services to program graduates at high risk for relapse.
  Vinland's management and board initiate expansion into a new service area: long-term supportive housing for chemically dependent people with disabilities.
   
1998 Capital projects undertaken to improve Vinland facilities include air conditioning staff offices, paving the parking lot, installing a permanent, wheelchair-accessible dock, and upgrading the agency’s computer system.
  First Vinland LivingWorks Lodge – a permanent, community-based residence for chemically dependent people with cognitive disabilities – is opened in the Twin Cities in collaboration with Tasks Unlimited, a nonprofit provider of housing and employment services for people with disabilities.
   
1999 Capital Campaign launched to build a 6,100 square foot addition to facility. Addition to include two bedrooms, client meeting and recreation space, a conference room, two program offices and a “virtual apartment” for clients to practice their new life skills.
  Vinland receives a second 2-year, $120,000 demonstration grant from the State of Minnesota Department of Human Services, Chemical Dependency Division, to work with providers in St. Cloud, Grand Rapids, and the Twin Cities to provide long-term case management and follow-up services to program graduates at high risk for relapse.
  The Employment Program created a labyrinth near Vinland’s main facility. The labyrinth is designed specifically for people with disabilities as another tool that can be used to achieve balance and calm in their lives.
  LivingWorks Venture Lodge filled to capacity. Began funding iniatitive for construction of second lodge.
   
2000 Start of the Cooperative Extended Employment Program (CEEP) to provide ongoing supportive employment assistance to Vinland’s Employment Program and Chemical Health Program graduates.
  The Employment Program celebrates its 100th session with a special graduation ceremony honoring all graduates of the program.
  Implemented Weekend Warriors, a respite and retreat program for people with developmental disabilities who need a fun and safe place to stay when caregivers are away from home.
  Constructed a twelve station accessible nature trail and observation area overlooking Vinland’s Prairie Grass Restoration Project.
   
2001 Capital campaign started in 1999 results a new addition to the building with includes a separate Women’s Wing with 10 beds and separate common area for women participants. The addition also includes office space, reception area and conference room.
   
2004 Vinland and LivingWorks complete construction on 12-bed lodge in Crystal, Minn. The lodge is designed for adults with disabilities who are in recovery from substance abuse.
   
2005 Vinland contracts with Courage Center Golden Valley to provide on-site chemical health services to Courage residents.
  Supportive housing services expanded to third lodge-style home
   
2006 Vinland expands chemical health program to include outpatient services offered at Courage Center Golden Valley.
  Vinland hires new full-time fitness and wellness manager. Vinland expands Fitness Center with additional equipment.
   
2007 First program building, lakeside chalet, renovated.
  Fitness and wellness program expands with the addition of an assistant. The new position is designed to add additional hours of planned fitness and recreation activities, such as biking and canoeing.
  Vocational Services program expands job placement services in outstate Minnesota with the addition of three contracted job placement specialists. They are located in Mankato, Duluth and Becker.
   
2008 Chemical health program serves a program-record 463 individuals.
  Purchase of recreation equipment, such as a ping pong table and Wii video game system, for new Rec Center in lakeside chalet.
  Expansion of prairie path system at main campus provides more hiking and biking trails to participants.
  On-site psychology services are offered with the addition of a part-time licensed psychologist.
  Vinland installs adaptive canoe dock that features a wheelchair accessible ramp, hand rails and poles that make it easier to enter and exit canoes, and deck on both sides of the slip so there is more access for people providing assistance.
   
2009 Mary Roehl named new executive director.
  Vinland awarded grant from SAMHSA to provide family services to chemical health participants and their families.
  Vinland awarded grant from HRSA to make needed upgrades at main campus. Upgrades include remodeling several client rooms, installation of a basketball court, and new flooring in common areas.
  In partnership with LivingWorks Ventures, Vinland breaks ground on new lodge for adults with disabilities.