Historical Museum
located
Franklin D. Roosevelt Park
1900 Pattison Avenue
Philadelphia PA 19145-5901
(215) 389-1776
FAX (215) 389-7701
Founded in 1926 to preserve
Swedish American heritage and history, the grand opening of this
building coincided with the 300th Anniversary of the New Sweden
Colony (1638-1655). The building itself is based on Eriksberg, a 17th
century manor house in Sodermanland, Sweden. It has a combination of
Swedish and American elements by adding exterior moldings like those
found at Mount Vernon. The copper cupola is like the one that sits on
top of Stockholm's City Hall.
Inside the museum, look up and you will see a painting depicting the landing of the Kalmar Nyckel which brought the first Swedish settlers to the Delaware Valley. Othr paintings depict various contributions of Swedish Americans to the American way of life.
Exhibits include a changing art gallery exhibit featuring various Scandinavian artists. The Gold Map Room is one of three rooms devoted to the New Sweden Colony. Designed in the 1930's, it features a map painted on bronze leaf and depicts Sweden during the 17th century when the colonists left for the New World. The Colonial Room depicts the daily life of the first settlers among the Lenni Lenape Indians. It shows contributions each group made towards the other. The hands on room allows visitors to experience crafts, see videos, and learn the parts of a Viking ship. The Stuga or Pioneer Room allows visitors to walk into a 19th century Swedish farmhouse. Ths room honors over one million Swedes who had emigrated to America between 1865 and 1914. The Nord Library is available to scholars and researchers. The Kalm-Seaborg Room tells about Alfred Nobel and the Nobel Prizes. The Fredrika Bremer Room is devoted to the accomplishments of Swedish women. There is a room dedicated to Jenny Lind, the Swedish operatic singer who lived from 1820 to 1887. The Chicago Room is dedicated to Swedish architects. There are two rooms dedicated to John Ericsson who was the designer of the U.S.S. Monitor which fought the Confederate Merrimac during the Civil War. The final room is the Swedenborg Room which highlights the life of Emanuel Swedenborg, the famous Swedish inventor, philosopher, and theologian. Yearly festivals at the museum include the Lucia Fest and Julmarknad, Pea Soup and Punsch Dinner, Valborgsmassoafton (spring bonfire), Midsommarfest, and the Crayfish Party.
