American Swedish Historical Museum, museums in Philadelphia, South Philly, History Museums

American Swedish Historical Museum

‘Delaware Valley’s First Settlers’

The American Swedish Historical Museum is the oldest Swedish Museum in America which is located in South Philadelphia. A museum highlighting the contributions of Swedes and Swedish-Americans in the United States.

The American Swedish Historical Museum Experience & Atmosphere

Built in 1926, the Museum today consists of 12 permanent galleries, one changing exhibition gallery, and a library. A very interesting building that was modeled after a 17th-century Swedish manor which uses a timeline, tapestry and artifacts to tell the story of the colonists who came from Sweden prior to William Penn, the founder of Philadelphia.

This museum was built 150 years after the signing of the Declaration of Independence and is surrounded by beautiful wrought iron fencing, a large pond, and sits on a vast piece of land that touts manicured lawns. The arcades, a succession of arches, are patterned after those of George Washington’s home in Mount Vernon.

Swedish-American architect John Nyden designed each of the Museum’s galleries to serve as a miniature museum and library. Three of the galleries are devoted primarily to the history of the New Sweden Colony and provide a wealth of information about this often unfamiliar period in our history. The museum’s collections showcase Swedish contributions of music, fine art, science, Swedish furniture, silver and handmade peasant dolls.

In addition, several of the galleries feature exhibits of famous Swedes to include author Carl Sandberg, scientist Glenn Seaborg, opera singer/celebrity Jenny Lind, and inventor/seaman John Ericsson, who developed the first ironclad ship named the Monitor. There is also an exhibit which is dedicated to Alfred Nobel, who invented dynamite and established the Nobel Prizes.

The American Swedish Historical Museum is dedicated to the preservation of Swedish and Swedish-American cultural heritage and traditions, including history, art, architecture, music, science and technology. During the spring, there is the Valborgsmässoafton festival, which welcomes spring in the Swedish tradition.