From the age of the Vikings to the settlers of the New Sweden Colony (1638-1655), to contemporary issues in Scandinavian society, the American Swedish Historical Museum will take you back in time and across the sea to learn the stories of Swedes in America.
Past Exhibitions
"Art by SIGELLE" was an exhibition of multimedia artworks by Sigelle Oldenburg (1900-1984). Born in Stockholm as Sigrid Elisabeth Lindforss, Sigelle was a trained opera singer, music teacher, mother, and artist who regularly created vibrant works of color and collage.
Beauty, comfort, entertainment, and style. From 1915— 1975, the Swedish American Line (SAL) offered its passengers all of this and more. From its early days as a passenger fleet for immigrants to its lavish “Around the World” cruises of the 1960s, SAL played an important role in connecting Scandinavia and America.
Knitting Along the Viking Trail presents the work of Scandinavian artist Elsebeth Lavold. Lavold has received worldwide recognition for her knitwear designs. She is best known for her Viking Knits Project, which she started in 1992 and she is the only Scandinavian knitwear designer with her own yarn label, called Elsebeth Lavold Designer’s Choice.
This exhibition explored Swedish food traditions and the dynamic role of food in Sweden and Swedish-American culture. Visitors discovered which foods are characteristic of different regions in Sweden, and learned how Swedish cuisine has changed over time because of trade and modernization.
The American Swedish Historical Museum presented the work of Stockholm artists Rachelle Puryear and Lars Nyberg. Puryear and Nyberg differ in methodology and style, but share a love for nature and the art of printing.
“Colony to Community: The Story of New Sweden” described the journey of Swedes and Finns who came to the Delaware Valley in 1638 to establish the New Sweden Colony, an outpost to give Sweden a foothold in the growing fur and tobacco trades.
Nathan Sawaya is a New York artist who creates artwork solely from standard LEGO brick and created many new works specifically for the exhibit featured at the American Swedish Historical Museum.