The Finseth Bandstand at St. Olaf College

My family's ties to St. Olaf go back all the way to the school's founding, when my great-grandfather Ole Knut Finseth was one of three farmers who comprised half of the "incorporators" of the college in 1875. As a youngster I visited with my uncles on many occasions for homecoming football games and marvelled at the beautiful campus and the pretty girls who went to school there, but when my own college decision time came, I headed east.

As a result I don't remember ever encountering the Finseth Bandstand, pictured above with a note written by by grandfather Knut Olaus Finseth:

"Built in the summer of 1910 Marcus B. Finseth paid 1/3 toward this BandStand.  I paid for Victor's part and mine.  Material and labor was reasonable then near 40 cent per hour.  It will be improved on this year or next 1961.  Total cost was $1250."

Music has always been an integral part of the life of students at St. Olaf.  Nowadays that aspect is focused on the St. Olaf Choir and its concerts, but at the turn of the last century band concerts were popular events.  When I Googled "Finseth Bandstand" I found only one hit, which linked to some memories of a student of that era:

How romantic the spring open-air band concerts in the Finseth bandstand were. Ida Marvick always sang two songs on such occasions, and we thrilled to her lovely voice. It seems to me that the moon always shone during those concerts. The air was full of springtime and the moonlight made soft patterns on the grass. We girls usually had a boy friend hovering near so that real romance filled our hearts. Lovely evenings they were.

This second photo shows more detail of the bandstand, including the fine (Norwegian) woodcraft.  My understanding from informal and secondhand sources is that in more recent decades the interest in and need for a bandstand declined, the concerts held there became more lively, and musical nights at the bandstand became known as "Sinfests at Finseths."  I believe the bandstand was finally demolished to make room for new construction on campus.  And so it goes.

If there are any Oles out there who can clarify the details, I'd be pleased to read your comments and  memories.