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.

Sven Gunnarsson and Jonas Nilsson New Sweden Gallery

This gallery takes visitors through the history of New Sweden from the Swedish empire’s colonial vision in 1626 to the impact of William Penn at the end of the 17th century. Themes include contact and trade with Lenape and Susquehannock Indians, leadership and expansion in the colony and personal stories of Swedes and Finns who settled in the Delaware Valley between the years 1638-1700. Visitors can explore the question of why the colony ultimately fell to the Dutch in 1655 and discover the important role of former New Sweden colonists in laying out the city of Philadelphia.
 

American Swedish Historical Museum - Gunnarsson Nisson Gallery

Many of the ASHM's most celebrated artifacts are housed in the New Sweden Gallery.

 

American Swedish Historical Museum - Gunnarsson Nisson Gallery object

A bronze statue of New Sweden's Governor Johan Printz (1592 - 1663)

New Sweden Google Map

To make a virtual journey through the New Sweden Colony, click through our New Sweden Google Map shown below. Each clickable icon on the map provides information about present day museums, churches, and surviving landmarks from the colony.

 

Timeline Map

Explore the New Sweden Colony between the years 1638 and 1700 with our Timeline Map shown below. It details the progression and collapse of the colony, as well as explaining how the area and its rulers changed over time. Click the image to go to the animation.

Swedish Timeline Map