Come and join us for our various events! We celebrate heritage and both traditional Swedish and American Holidays. There is always something going on at the American Swedish Historical Museum. See below for scheduled events. All events will take place at the Museum unless otherwise noted. Please check with the Museum to confirm dates and other details.
Featured exhibition - Charles Allmond: Second Nature
on view through July 31
Harmony by Charles Allmond
Charles Allmond is a sculptor who finds inspiration in the natural world. Primarily a direct carver in stone and wood he also produces limited editions of many of his works in bronze. His distinctive style ranges from realism to abstract.
Find out more at the exhibitions page >>
April 12, 6 pm: Spring Ting
A "ting" is a gathering. The ASHM's annual spring gathering welcomes friends for a fundraiser featuring a reception, buffet, and silent and live auctions. The 2008 Outstanding Achievement Award will be presented to Håkan Swahn Aquavit founder and owner, who began the modern renaissance in Swedish cuisine in New York City. The ASHM is also honored to host special guests, His Excellency Jonas Hafström, Ambassador of Sweden, and Mrs. Hafström for Spring Ting. All proceeds from this event support the exhibitions and educational programs of the ASHM.
Håkan Swahn in photo by Lars Hall
April 13, 1:30 pm: Genealogy Club Meeting
Speakers, Eiwor Backelund and Anneli Andersson from Sweden will describe The Emigration History in Dalsland, the opportunities for visitors to "The Home Coming Year 2008 in Dalsland," how to search for your roots in Swedish sources and details of The Emigration Conference in Mellerud, Sweden.
April 19, 12:30 am: John Ericsson tour
Enjoy a gallery talk in the American Swedish Historical Museum's John Ericsson rooms by ASHM Curator Emeritus, Margaretha Talerman. Complete your visit by touring the other ten galleries at the museum. Adults: $6, Seniors: $5, ASHM members: free. Registration required, call 215-389-1776. Co-sponsored by the John Ericsson Society New York. Click here to view more info in pdf format>>
April 26, 10:30 am-2 pm: Cooking Class
Spring's cooking class is a "Symphony of Pies" with everything from hors d'oeuvre pies, pie for lunch, pie for dinner to dessert pies. Cost: Members $40, Non-members $45. RSVP with payment by April 18. Call 215-389-1776 or email info@americanswedish.org
April 30, 7 pm: Valborgmässoafton
At Walpurgis Night on the last day of April, spring is welcomed and celebrated in the age-old Swedish tradition of singing around a bonfire. Valborg at ASHM features musical entertainment by the Swedish Museum Singers beginning at 7:15, hot dogs and dessert, traditional bonfire and more singing in front of the museum in FDR Park. Admission is $15 for adults, $8 for children under 12. Reserve you space by April 25 by calling 215-389-1776.
May 8, 11 am: Auxiliary Luncheon
The artist Charles Allmond is the speaker and demonstrator for the annual May Luncheon. The menu includes smörgåstårtor (sandwich tortes), salad and dessert. Auxiliary General Meeting at 10:30 am. Price is $18 for museum members, $23 for non-members (includes museum admission). RSVP by May 2. Call the museum at 215-389-1776 for more information.
May 11: Last chance to see Drawing Us Together: Children's Book Illustrations by Marguerite de Angeli
May 13, 7 pm: Midsommarklubben Meeting
All those who speak Swedish are invited.
Dr. Cook is the Doherty Senior Scholar and Director of the Tree-Ring Laboratory at Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory of Columbia University.
Dr. Edward Cook, scientific contributor to the IPCC, one of this year's Nobel Peace Prize winners, will share the talk The Hockey Stick, what is all the controversy about? The lecture will deal with the topic of global warming and the contribution to it by human activity. Dr. Cook's vast research in dendrochronology and paleoclimatology has served to advance the mission of the Tree-Ring Laboratory to "expand the use and application of tree-ring research around the world to improve our understanding of past climate and environment history." The lecture at ASHM will be followed by a question-and-answer period. Admission for ASHM members is $8, non-members $10, Students admitted free with ID.
May 31, 1-4 pm: Viking Day
Join the fun and fury of Viking Day where you can watch reenactors demonstrate their skills in shipbuilding, cooking and other Viking trades. You can even see a Viking ship and sword battle right here on museum grounds. Children's activities include making rune stone rubbings, creating Viking jewelry, writing with the runic alphabet and participating in the Hnefatafl or Viking Chess Tournament.
A special exhibition of Norse Mythology Illustrations by Dylan Carroll will be featured on the museum's balcony level.
Admission for Adults is $6, Children $5 and children 2 and under are free.
Reenactors from Longship Company Ltd.
June 6, 2-4 pm: Swedish National Day Open House
All those who speak Swedish are invited.
June 21, 4 pm-8 pm: Midsommarfest
Come and celebrate Midsommar at ASHM with the raising of the Maypole at 4:30 pm, followed by ring dances and gammaldans. Musical entertainment features The Swedish Museum Singers and there will be lots of family fun including raffles and games. Refreshments available for purchase are smörgåstårtor (sandwich tortes), hot dogs, and home-baked Swedish pastries. Rain or shine. Admission is $6 for ASHM members, $8 for non-members, $3 for children 4-12.
Click to view pictures of Midsommar 07>>