Toddler Time: Tip Toe with Tomtarna
Be sure to join us this month and see the museum decked out in its holiday splendor! Toddlers and families will get into the spirit by learning about the tradition of "Jultomten".
Toddler Time: Sharing Can Be Yummy!
Almost every culture of the world has a version of the Stone Soup story. This month we will explore the Swedish version with an interactive reading from Stone Soup.
Cane Axe (Käppyxa)
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After a decline in traditional usage, cane axes saw a renaissance by the late 1600s. Young noblemen at Uppsala University wielded these axes not in battle or mining but instead as fashionable accessories. This particular axe—with its ornate mother-of-pearl veneer and runic inscriptions—was likely part of this rebirth.
Congratulations to Karin Kornaga, 2017 Amandus Johnson Volunteer Service Award Recipient
The Museum is excited to announce the recipient of this year’s Amandus Johnson Volunteer Award, Karin Kornaga. Karin has been a longtime member and devoted volunteer at the ASHM for over 30 years. If you have visited recently, you may have seen her captivating smile at the front desk or perhaps enjoyed hearing her sing in Swedish for the children during Toddler Time. Karin is also ever present at Midsommarfest, leading dances around the maypole, and at Lucia Fest, serving up delicious meatballs and other delicacies.
How Can I Help?
A tragic regular fixture in the news has become reports on the Syrian refugee crisis. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the staggering statistics, and these war torn regions can often feel distant and leave U.S. citizens disconnected. People may want to help but are not sure how they can make a difference, especially when not in a position to provide financial donations. At the end of the day, many find themselves saying “I feel bad, but how can I help”?
Midsommarfest - June 21, 2025
Get in the spirit of summer by wearing a wreath of flowers in your hair and take a spin around the midsommarpole at the American Swedish Historical Museum’s annual Midsommarfest in late June. Midsommarfest is a day of fun for the entire family with food, music, dance, raffles, games and activities for kids of all ages. Midsommar is one of Sweden’s most important holidays, a unique Swedish celebration, and a day to rejoice in the coming of summer at a time when daylight is at its longest.
Easter Family Fun Day - April 6, 2025
Swedes celebrate Easter religiously, but for the majority of Swedes religion has little to do with it. It's more about witches, egg hunts, and colored feathers. Let’s not forget about the candy, Easter is the holiday for sweets.
The Art of the Brick™ Nathan Sawaya
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.
Colony to Community: The Story of New Sweden
“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.
Printscapes: Impressions of Nature by Rachelle Puryear and Lars Nyberg
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.