In 2023, we celebrated the 75th anniversary of the Swedish-American Historical Society!
The Swedish-American Historical Society grew out of the national 1948 Swedish Pioneer Centennial celebration which marked the 100th anniversary of the arrival of the first Swedish immigrants in the Midwest. In Chicago, 18,000 people filled the stadium on June 4th to hear speeches from President Truman, Prince Bertil of Sweden, Carl Sandburg, and representatives from many Swedish-American organizations. Four months later, on October 15, 1948, the leaders of the centennial celebration met in Chicago and formed the Swedish-American Historical Society.
Originally called the Swedish Pioneer Historical Society, in 1983 the Society's Board of Directors approved a change in the organization's name. By then it had moved well beyond a focus on just the "pioneer" period. Then and today, the Society serves to promote interest in the entire Swedish presence in America, from the first settlers on the Delaware in 1638 through the present day.
We had a year filled with memorable events as we honored our past and committed ourselves to the Society’s important mission in a sustainable future!
Fall Events
Friday, October 20, 2023
Anniversary Dinner & Program
Old Orchard Country Club (Prospect Heights, IL)
Registration closed
On Friday evening, October 20, a festive dinner and program was held at the Old Orchard Country Club in Mt. Prospect, just northwest of Chicago and close to O’Hare International Airport. There was a reception and dinner, followed by a program of music, presentations, and a featured keynote "Dining with Friends: A History of Swedish-American Commemorations" by Adam Hjorthén.
Saturday, October 21, 2023
Exhibition
Swedish-American Archives of Greater Chicago (Brandel Library, North Park University)
Free & open to the public
On Saturday afternoon, October 21, the Society’s Swedish-American Archives of Greater Chicago hosted an event in Brandel Library at North Park University highlighting its work in an exhibition, along with a program of interest to Society members and friends. It also recognized the longtime relationship with North Park University, the Society’s physical home since the mid-1950s.