HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

The initiative to establish a child care facility in Haugesund was first taken around the turn of the19th century by Mrs. Anna Nilssen. At that time the main industry and most important source of employment for the city’s inhabitants was the Herring Fishery. A great number of housewives were amongst those who benefited from this industry.

Mrs. Nilssen (married to the proprietor of the factory N. Nilssen) realised that there was a need for a child care facility, where the children could be safely supervised while their mothers were out working at the Herring Fishery. She was of the opinion that it was unacceptable that those who were amongst the most underprivileged in the community were prevented from going to work because nobody could take care of their small children. As a result, Haugesund’s Private Child Care Centre was established on 6th January 1905, situated at Landmannstorget, Sørhauggaten 226 in a house belonging to the local authority of Haugesund.

It was normal during the herring fishing season that women were employed to salt down the herring. It was a popular and welcome source of income for most of them. Mrs. Nilssen started a nursery for infants where these women could have their children looked after while they themselves were at work – and most important of all, as she said: “Be certain that the children were in good hands”.

During high season for the herring fishing there could be as many as 50 – 60 children per day at the centre. Mrs. Nilssen herself was in daily attendance there, and made sure that the children were well cared for. She became, in fact, very well known for her infant cribs.

After having been in use for a while, it became apparent that the house at Landmannstorget was not particularly suitable as premises for a child care centre. Later, in 1917, Mrs. Nilssen became aware of a property at Øvregaten 114 that was more suitable. Fortunately, they received two large donations from generous benefactors - 10.000 kr. from Mrs. Kristine Staalesen, and 25.000 kr. from Jens Kyvik. They also received a donation of 600 kr. from Haugesund Council. In addition to these larger donations, Mrs. Nilssen received money from friends and acquaintances. By 14 May 1917 she had managed to accrue a total sum of 40.000 kr., which was the asking price for the property in question.

Mrs. Nilssen was actively involved with the child care centre until her death in 1922, at the age of 76.

On the death Mrs. Nilssen in 1922, the Inner Mission in Haugesund took over both the property and equipment. They promised to continue the child care service, and the policy of offering places to children of the less fortunate citizens of Haugesund. This was in the year 1928.

The economic depression, with the resultant high level of unemployment, struck indiscriminately during this period. The requirement for having children at the child care centre was that the parents were in full employment. Consequently, because of drastically changed circumstances, the Mission felt obliged to close down the centre. They justified their decision by claiming that, because of the prevailing circumstances, further operation was unnecessary. As a result, the child care centre was administered by the Mission for a short period of 6 years. In 1933 they sold the house at Øvregaten 114 and purchased Kirkegt. 195 as a replacement. This house, it transpired, was to be used solely for their own activities.

The closing down of the child care centre was regarded as a great loss to Haugesund. It was a matter of much concern for both the former and current management members of “Haugesund Private Child Care Centre”. Foremost amongst these were Mrs. Ingebjørg Lothe and a number of other ladies. They arranged a meeting which took place on 1 March 1946, and at that meeting they decided to apply for a re-convening of the old Child Care Centre Association and for a continuation of operations at the child care centre.

Negotiations were entered into with Haugesund Inner Mission for the purpose of taking over Kirkegaten 195 and making the child care centre once again operative. Getting hold of the accounts for the duration of time the Inner Mission had been involved with the running of the child care centre was part of the general preparations for a new centre. When these negotiations did not lead to any tangible result, the case was handed over to the High Court barrister H. Lothe, who thereafter brought the case to the attention of the Department for Social Services. After a court ruling, Haugesund Inner Mission transferred ownership of the property to the Child Care Association. Furthermore, they paid the sum of 5.000 kr. to cover the cost of the establishment and the expenses related to the conveyance of the property. This payment was made on the condition that they be exempted from any “further liability”.

In 1947, in recognition of the great services the late factory proprietor’s wife Anna Nilssen had rendered the child care centre, it was decided to call the centre “Anna Nilssen’s Memorial Home”.

During the war years the Germans had appropriated and made use of the property at Kirkegaten 195, and the house was therefore in a poor state when the association took over. A great deal of work was needed to return the property to an acceptable standard. The premises consisted of spacious, light and attractive rooms, with adequate capacity for up to 40 children. These children were taken care of by 2 teachers, 1 assistant and 1 social worker. A doctor was also made available. A sewing group was formed to provide clothes and other equipment. These members also contributed with prizes for the lotto draw, so that they too could help to keep the activity going.

The Memorial Home also received support from the state and local authorities. The premises at Kirkegaten 195 were regarded as being inadequate for the purposes of running a nursery. However, it was this house that had been conveyed to ‘Anna Nilssen’s Memorial Home’ after the court case against the Inner Mission. The board members of the home sold Kirkegaten 195 in 1969/70 to Mrs. Bergliot Dueland and Torleif Larsen for 87.000 kr.

Signe Nilssen (Mrs. Anna Nilssen’s daughter-in-law) knew several Haugesund politicians, and tried to use her influence to get the local authority to transfer ownership of Leiteveien 8, these being suitable future premises for a completely new nursery. This plot of land was popular, and there were some reactions to the fact that a nursery should be situated in such an attractive area.

Signe Nilssen’s quote: A new nursery in Leiteveien amounted to 240.000 kr. A free plot of land was conveyed by the local authority. We were given a government grant of 60.000 kr. We were given a bank loan with a guarantee from the local authority of 33.000 kr. This was on the condition that we built an air-raid shelter in the basement of the new building. I didn’t have enough money to cover that. So, I packed my bags, travelled to Oslo and spoke to somebody from the Department. There was no chance of any help there, but in one way or another we were going to get our air-raid shelter – at a cost of 48.000 kr. Finally, the local authority agreed to cover the cost.

The new building was built by Block Wathne. There was a great deal of ‘messing around’. The building should have been finished by Christmas. On the first of May we moved in, without permission. “Aunt” Johanne (a former centre manager) and myself made a start. Then there was talk of an alternative entrance to Leiteveien. A driveway was constructed, of great benefit to the neighbours, at a cost of 120.000 kr. We didn’t use it. I demanded an entrance gate from the Leiteveien side. Protests. That didn’t bother me. So, in 1981 I resigned after a long chairmanship period which had lasted for 26 years. The council took over the nursery for the sum of 30.000 kr., in debt. The nursery is today worth a million (-94)” – end of quote.

This interview with Signe Nilssen took place in the autumn prior to the 90 years’ jubileum for the nursery, 16th January 1995 – at home with this colourful lady in one of the pensioners’ houses in Salhusveien, which had been funded and built by the local business community.