Swedish American Museum facts for kids
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| Established | 1976 |
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| Location | 5211 North Clark Street Chicago, Illinois 60640 |
| Type | Heritage Museum |
| Visitors | 43,000 (2008) |
| Public transit access | UP-N Ravenswood Red Berwyn |
The Swedish American Museum is a special place in the Andersonville neighborhood of Chicago. It's a museum that teaches you all about Swedish American history and the amazing journey of Swedes who moved to the United States.
Contents
Discovering the Museum's History
The Swedish American Museum in Chicago was started by a person named Kurt Mathisson in 1976. It first opened its doors to share stories of Swedish heritage.
A Royal Visit and New Home
The museum later moved to its current spot on 5211 North Clark Street in 1987. Guess who was there for both the museum's founding and its big move? It was King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden himself! This shows how important the museum is.
What You'll Find Inside
The museum is in a large, three-story building. It has about 12,000 different objects in its collection. These items help tell the stories of Swedish Americans. The museum is also a key part of the Chicago Cultural Alliance. This is a group of 25 museums and cultural centers in Chicago. They all work together to share different ethnic cultures.
Fun Swedish Traditions and Events
The museum loves to celebrate many holidays. It often works with the Andersonville neighborhood, which has a strong Swedish history.
Celebrating Midsommarfest
One big celebration is Midsommarfest. This is a fun twist on the traditional Swedish Midsommar (Midsummer) celebration. It's a time for music, dancing, and enjoying the long summer days.
Winter Holidays: Santa Lucia and Julmarknad
In winter, the museum celebrates Santa Lucia. This is a beautiful Swedish tradition with songs and lights. They also host Julmarknad, which is a Christmas market. Here, you can find traditional Swedish handmade crafts and gifts.
The Iconic Water Tower
Above the museum, there used to be a famous water tower. On March 20, 2014, this water tower was taken down. It had been damaged during a very cold winter. But don't worry, the water tower was brought back and put in place again in August 2017!
A New Diplomatic Home
In February 2024, something new happened at the museum. The Honorary Consulate of Sweden, Chicago moved into the Swedish American Museum. This means the museum is now also a place where Sweden has an official presence in Chicago.
