You can tie nearly everything that the American Swedish Historical Museum does to the word ‘home.’ Our founder sought to celebrate the Swedes who had made America their new home, we preserve and interpret the artifacts used within our ancestors’ homes, and we remind Swedes and Scandinavians that, among friends and family at our cultural celebrations, they should consider the Museum as another home.
“The Jenny Lind mania still continues, like a snow ball, which – crescit eundo – grows larger as it rolls.” – “Jenny Lind in the Metropolis,” The New York Herald, September 5, 1850
-Dr. Hanna Rydh, Women in the Ancient North, 1926
2018 has been a year of momentous elections in Sweden and America. As newly-elected representatives decide upon issues of immigration, social policies, and globalism, we reflect upon the histories of progressivism and human rights that have pushed both countries onto the world stage today.
Break out bell bottoms and platform shoes! What better place to celebrate the iconic music of ABBA than the American Swedish Historical Museum. DJ Drake will spin the throwbacks as everyone lets out their inner Dancing Queen. Highlights of the evening will include a dancing and costume contest along with a few surprises!
Get inspired by the From the Heart, Made by Hand: Treasures from the Women of Sweden exhibit and create your own hemslöjd (or home craft) work of art! Choose from two different workshop options; create a wall hanging on a rigid heddle loom with Philadelphia Guild of Hand Weavers or learn the basics of wheat weaving and make a plait design with Linda Beiler. Space is very limited for each class, so make sure to sign up in advance, either by calling the museum or signing up online using the link below. $30 member, $35 non-member.
Treat yourself to a rich semla, a cream and almond paste filled Swedish pastry, along with a cup of hot coffee and the Swedish film Hotell starring Alicia Wikander. Semlor are often eaten before the start of lent, the Swedish version of “Fat Tuesday.” Event tickets are $13 in advance and $15 at the door. Ticket price includes one semla, additional semlor are $6 each. Walk-in welcome or pre-register by phone or online by February 7th.
Warm up on a chilly winter’s night with a bowl of Swedish yellow pea soup and a cup of punsch. Dinner is served with sharp cheese, bread, and dessert. Vegetarian (not vegan) pea soup will also be available. A special addition this year will be a live nyckelharpa performance! Tickets are $25 for members and $30 for non-members, make sure to get them in advance before they sell out. Register by phone or online by the end of Friday, January 25th.
Save the date for the winter Genealogy Club meeting. Gather with fellow ASHM members and explore the branches of your Swedish ancestry. Not a member, not a problem! There is still plenty of time to get your ASHM membership. Make a day of it and follow up the genealogy program with research time in the library, and then finish the day by attending our delicious pea soup dinner (separate registration required).
What better way to spend a cold winters day than nestled inside the Museum surrounded by warm textiles! In addition to the From the Heart, Made by Hand: Treasures from the Women of Sweden exhibit, artisans will be stationed around the Museum galleries demonstrating various techniques used in creating different types of textiles.