''Det nyttige Selskab'' (lit. "The Serviceable Society") is a

non-profit organization A nonprofit organization (NPO) or non-profit organisation, also known as a non-business entity, not-for-profit organization, or nonprofit institution, is a legal entity organized and operated for a collective, public or social benefit, in co ...

Bergen Bergen (), historically Bjørgvin, is a city and municipality in Vestland county on the west coast of Norway. , its population is roughly 285,900. Bergen is the second-largest city in Norway. The municipality covers and is on the peninsula of ...

Norway Norway, officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Nordic country in Northern Europe, the mainland territory of which comprises the western and northernmost portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula. The remote Arctic island of Jan Mayen and t ...

History

Det nyttige Selskab was founded in

in 1774 by Jens Boalth (1725-1780), who was the principal at

Bergen Cathedral School Bergen Cathedral School (Norwegian: ''Bergen Katedralskole'', Latin: ''Schola Cathedralis Bergensis'', formerly known as Bergens lærdeskole and Bergen latinskole and colloquially known as Katten) is an upper secondary school in Bergen, Norway. Loc ...

from 1756 to 1780 and also co-founded the

Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra The Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra is a Norwegian orchestra based in Bergen. Its principal concert venue is the Grieg Hall. History Established in 1765 under the name ''Det Musicalske Selskab'' (The Musical Society), it later changed its name t ...

in 1765 and the Philharmonic Drawing School in 1772. It purpose was to support enterprises that improved the general health, "to the true well-being of fellow citizens". Between 1777 and 1793, the Society awarded gold medals to people who improved production of foodstuffs and other goods, as well as to people who made medicinal discoveries. From 1818 the society became more of a modernizing agent, supporting banks, industry, communications and education. It was a co-founder of the bank

Bergens Sparebank Bergens Sparebank was a Norwegian savings bank based in Bergen. It was established in 1823, making it the second-oldest savings bank in Norway and the oldest in Bergen. It merged with 25 savings banks in 1982 to become Sparebanken Vest Sparebanken ...

in 1823 and brought Bergen's first

steam ship A steamship, often referred to as a steamer, is a type of steam-powered vessel, typically ocean-faring and seaworthy, that is propelled by one or more steam engines that typically move (turn) propellers or paddlewheels. The first steamships ca ...

''Oscar'' to the city in 1827. However, the ship had to be sold in 1827. During its first 50-odd years the Society had financial challenges. In 1850, the Society changed their by-laws, and now concentrated exclusively on Bergen city. It has committed money to refurbishing parts of the city, with

cobblestone Cobblestone is a natural building material based on cobble-sized stones, and is used for pavement roads, streets, and buildings. Setts, also called Belgian blocks, are often casually referred to as "cobbles", although a sett is distinct fro ...

, statues and squares. Statues raised with the help of ''Det nyttige Selskab'' include the controversial Olav Kyrre statue by

Knut Steen Knut Steen (19 November 1924 – 22 September 2011) was a Norwegian sculptor. Steen lived in Sandefjord for most of his life and dedicated works such as the Whaler's Monument to the city. Many of his sculptures may also be seen at Midtåsen ...

1998 and the statue of

Roald Jensen Roald Jensen (11 January 1943 – 6 October 1987), nicknamed "Kniksen", of Bergen, Norway was one of that country's most celebrated association football players. He played for SK Brann and Heart of Midlothian F.C. ("Hearts"). ''Knicksen'' is a lo ...

outside

Brann stadion Brann Stadion is a football stadium in Bergen, Norway. It was constructed in 1919, and has been the home of the football club Brann ever since. The stadium lies south of the city centre, at the foot of Mount Ulriken. The record attendance dat ...

. From 1952 to 1993 the Society awarded an architectural prize in Bergen. It was awarded for the first time in 1953 and last in 1990.

References

Organizations established in 1774 Organisations based in Bergen Culture in Bergen {{Norway-org-stub