In this lecture series, explore the fascinating history of the New Sweden Colony and the legacy the settlement and its people had on Philadelphia and beyond. The lectures will be held monthly from January through April. The first three will be held via Zoom, and the last lecture in April will be at the American Swedish Historical Museum.
This month Evan Haefeli will discuss "New Sweden's Colonists under Dutch Rule, 1655-1664"
After Dutch troops led by Pieter Stuyvesant captured New Sweden, the former New Sweden colonists who wanted to stay in America lived under Dutch rule for nine years. My talk examines how the Swedes and Finns adapted to this new situation, emphasizing their spirit of independence and determination to defend their religion. Despite Dutch efforts to send more colonists to the Delaware River Valley, the Scandinavians remained the most significant population of Europeans. Although the Dutch wanted to absorb them into their society, they could not, and so arrangements were made that helped the Scandinavians thrive under foreign rule. Nevertheless, when the English showed up in 1664 offering even better terms, the Scandinavians gave decisive support to the English conquest of the Dutch, opening a new phase in the history of Swedes and Finns in colonial America.
This lecture series is presented in partnership with the Swedish Colonial Society, the American Swedish Historical Museum, the Delaware Swedish Colonial Society, the Kalmar Nyckel Foundation, Old Swedes Historic Site, the McNeil Center for Early American Studies at the University of Pennsylvania, the New Sweden Centre, the New Sweden Alliance, the Finnish American Society of the Delaware Valley, and the University of Delaware.
This month's virtual lecture is sponsored by the New Sweden Alliance and is free to attend, but registration is required to receive the Zoom link. Spaces are limited. Be sure to register today!