Colonial Swedish_Americans

1 colonial

1.1 midwest
1.2 new england
1.3 west coast

colonial


the c. a. nothnagle log house (c. 1638) in new jersey 1 of oldest surviving houses new sweden colony , 1 of oldest log cabins , houses in u.s.

the first swedish americans settlers of new sweden. colony established queen christina of sweden in 1638, centered around delaware valley including parts of present-day states of delaware, new jersey, , pennsylvania. new sweden incorporated new netherland in 1655 , ceased official territory of realm of sweden. however, many swedish , finnish colonists remained , allowed political , cultural autonomy.

present day reminders of history of new sweden reflected in presence of american swedish historical museum in philadelphia, fort christina state park in wilmington, delaware, governor printz park , printzhof in essington, pennsylvania.

midwest

swedish emigration united states had reached new heights in 1896, , in year vasa order of america, swedish american fraternal organization, founded immigrants, lacked adequate network of social services. swedish americans came through new york city , subsequently settled in upper midwest. lutheran , belonged synods associated evangelical lutheran church in america, including augustana evangelical lutheran church. theologically, pietistic; politically supported progressive causes , prohibition.

in year 1900, chicago city second highest number of swedes after stockholm, capital of sweden. then, swedes in chicago had founded evangelical covenant church , established such enduring institutions swedish covenant hospital , north park university. many others settled in minnesota in particular, followed wisconsin; new york, pennsylvania, michigan, iowa, nebraska , illinois. norwegian american , danish american brethren, many swedes sought out agrarian lifestyle had left behind in sweden, many immigrants settled on farms throughout midwest.

new england

the passport of hilmer emmanuel salomonsson, 1921 guldsmedshyttan, sweden worcester, massachusetts

in east, new england became destination many skilled industrial workers , swedish centers developed in areas such jamestown, new york; providence, rhode island, , boston. small swedish settlement begun in new sweden, maine. 51 swedish settlers came wooded area, led w.w. thomas, called them mina barn skogen (my children in woods). upon arrival, knelt in prayer , thanksgiving god. area expanded , other settlements named stockholm, jemptland, , westmanland, in honor of swedish heritage. (stockholm capital of sweden, while jämtland , västmanland swedish provinces.)

the town of new sweden, maine celebrates st. lucia, midsummer, , founders day (july 23). swedish-american community continues honor traditions of old country. gustaf adolph lutheran church served native of sweden 1979-1985 (the rev. hans olof andræ b. 1933 vimmerby, sweden) known conduct special worship services in swedish.

the largest settlement in new england worcester, massachusetts. here, swedes drawn city s wire , abrasive industries. 20th century numerous churches, organizations, businesses, , benevolent associations had been organized. among them, swedish cemetery corporation (1885), swedish lutheran old people s home(1920), fairlawn hospital (1921), , scandinavian athletic club (1923). these institutions survive today, although have mainstreamed names.

numerous local lodges of national swedish american organizations flourished , few remain solvent of 2008. within city s largest historic swedish neighborhood-quinsigamond village—street signs read map of sweden: stockholm street, halmstad street, , malmo street among others. worcester s swedes historically staunch republicans , political loyalty behind why worcester remained republican stronghold in otherwise democratic state 1950s.

west coast

many swedes came pacific northwest during turn of twentieth century, along norwegians , finns, settling in washington , oregon. according research oregon historical society, swedish immigrants felt kinship natural surroundings , economic opportunities in pacific northwest, , region experienced significant influx of swedish , scandinavian immigrants between 1890 , 1910.

notable influence can felt in neighborhood of ballard in seattle, washington, , swedish medical center, major hospital in seattle. in oregon, swedish immigrant populations concentrated in rural areas east of portland, , significant swedish community established in coastal city of astoria along finnish , norwegian settlers worked in timber , fishing industries.