American Swedish Historical Museum

Still need to register for the second semester of ASHM Virtual Swedish Language classes? Don’t wait! The semester begins on January 22nd. These classes are a continuation of the fall semester and are held via Zoom. For people with some Swedish experience who wish to join, please see the website to determine which level would be best for you!

We will be starting Swedish Beginners Part 1 again in the Fall of 2024.

More information: https://www.americanswedish.org/education/adult

Tickets are on sale now for our extrABBAganza ABBA Dance Party! Break out your bell bottoms and platform shoes! What better place to celebrate the iconic music of ABBA than the American Swedish Historical Museum.

The event features music by Philadelphia’s DJ Drake, a buffet and cash bar, a dancing and costume contest, and a Drag Queen homage to ABBA performed by Summer St. Carier, Miss. Troy, Amerie Jameson, and Morgan Morgan Morgan!

We can’t wait to see you there! Buy tickets here: https://www.americanswedish.org/events/extrabbaganza-abba-dance-party-0

It’s important to keep warm in winter! Join us for this month’s Toddler Time as we read a winter story by Jan Brett and explore some of Sweden’s cold weather clothing. Try out different activities that explore how people and animals keep warm in the wintertime!

The perfect way to shake off the cold is with a hot bowl of Swedish pea soup presented by The Pea Soup Committee.

ASHM’s Pea Soup Dinner is served with sharp Swedish cheese, bread, and Swedish pancakes and coffee for dessert. There will also be a cash bar. You do not want to miss out on this delightful meal!

Tickets are $25 for members and $30 for non-members. Pre-registration is required by January 22nd here: https://www.americanswedish.org/events/pea-soup-dinner

ASHM was nominated for The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Philly Favorites contest!

Vote for ASHM as your favorite Philly Museum under ‘Things to Do’!

Cast your vote daily until January 19th here: https://www.votephillyfaves.com

Join us for a fascinating Virtual Lunchtime Lecture by ASHM Curator, Christopher Malone, for an in-depth look at life and artwork of woodworker and furniture designer Karl von Rydingsvärd.

This virtual lecture will chronicle the life of Karl von Rydingsvärd from his time teaching women how to carve and build furniture in Sweden to his most prolific period of furniture-making in America decades later. Von Rydingsvärd was integral to the spread of the Arts and Crafts Movement in America through the students he taught, the work they produced, and his own work that still resonates with us today.

This program will be held via Zoom. $5 for members and $10 for nonmembers. Register here: https://www.americanswedish.org/events/virtual-lunchtime-lecture-karl-von-rydingsvard-baron-arts-and-crafts

We couldn’t have done 2023 without all of you! Here’s to more fun in 2024!

Happy New Year from ASHM! We will be closed on December 31st and January 1st. See you all in 2024!

Registration for the second semester of ASHM Virtual Swedish Language classes is now open! These classes are a continuation of the fall semester and are held via Zoom. For people with some Swedish experience who wish to join, please see the website to determine which level would be best for you!

We will be starting Swedish Beginners Part 1 again in the Fall of 2024.

More information: https://www.americanswedish.org/education/adult

God Jul from ASHM!

Happy Holidays from ASHM! We have extended open hours for last minute shopping on the 23rd, and we will be closed on the 24th and 25th. We’ll see you all soon!

Learn more about Karin and Carl Larsson in this new 3-part documentary which begins airing tomorrow. Visit Karin Larsson: Let the Hand Be Seen at ASHM to experience the couple’s art and home up close! Exhibition on view until February 18th.

RECENSION: Det är dags att döpa om Carl Larsson-gården SVT:s nya dokumentärserie om konstnärsparet lyfter Karin Larssons roll.

Pick up last minute gifts all this week at the ASHM Shop! We have all the perfect stocking stuffers: Swedish candy, socks, tea, and other goodies to finish off your holiday shopping. And if you're looking to complete your holiday table, snag seasonal food and décor!

The ASHM Shop will be open from 10-4 each day from now until Saturday December 23rd.

There’s still time to register for next week’s Virtual Tour! We will be visiting the Gamla Stan Christmas Market in Stockholm Sweden for a guided virtual tour given by former ASHM Marketing Assistant .ea! Experience the magic of a Swedish Christmas Market and reminisce about past holidays in Sweden.

We’ll see you on Zoom! Register here: https://www.americanswedish.org/events/virtual-tour-gamla-stan-christmas-market $5 for members, $10 for nonmembers.

Photo credit Ulf Lundin Imagebank Sweden

Happy St. Lucia Day from ASHM!

Today, December 13th, is the feast day of Saint Lucia, celebrated in Sweden, Norway, and parts of Finland with a special festival of lights. St. Lucia Day was once the shortest day of the year, and even now it falls on one of the darkest days in December. Celebrate by lighting candles, enjoying your own Lucia procession, or eating some pepparkakor cookies.

View a video of our ASHM Lucia performance here: https://youtu.be/dTrbXNsH568

Still searching for something special this holiday season? Stop by the ASHM Gift Shop for Swedish gifts, stocking stuffers, and all your holiday favorites.

If you can't make it to the store, many items are available in our online shop! But act now; there are only a couple more days to order from our online shop to ensure delivery by Christmas!

Order at https://shop.americanswedish.org/ by noon on December 12th!

A huge thank you to all our visitors, volunteers, performers, and vendors who helped make last weekend's Lucia and Christmas Market such a success!

Want to help us bring future Museum events to life? Become a volunteer! Visit our website for more information.

Help us improve events at the Museum by providing feedback in our Lucia and Christmas Market visitor survey here: https://forms.gle/4G9m6xDA4UWYDYLh

It's almost time for Toddler Time! This month we will get into the holiday spirt by learning about tradition of Jultomte. We will read “The Tomten" by Astrid Lindgren and try some Swedish holiday activities. It’s a perfect opportunity to teach your little ones about Swedish culture or try out something new for the holidays!

Take a virtual trip to the Gamla Stan Julmarknad! If you can’t make it to Sweden for Christmas this year, you can still experience the sights as we take a live walking tour of the market (led by former ASHM Intern Izabell Eriksson Andrén) while we learn about the history and tradition of European Christmas Markets. See the lights of the season and reminisce about past holidays in Sweden or be inspired to plan a future holiday trip!

This program will be held via Zoom. $5 for members and $10 for nonmembers. Pre-register here: https://www.americanswedish.org/events/virtual-tour-gamla-stan-christmas-market

Image courtesy of Ulf Lundin Imagebank Sweden

Hyvää itsenäisyyspäivää! Happy Independence Day Finland!

Today we honor a very special day for our Finnish neighbors. From the 12th century until 1809, Finland was part of Sweden, followed by another century of Russian occupation after the Napoleonic Wars. After centuries of external rule, Finland finally negotiated its independence from Russia on December 6, 1917.

This picture shows the Finnish embassy in Washington DC preparing for this year’s Independence Day gathering, with flags flying and torches lit.

Light two candles in your window tonight to commemorate this important occasion for all Finns.

Celebrate Sweden with us at Lemon Hill Mansion on December 9th!

Lemon Hill Mansion in East Fairmount Park is celebrating Winter around the World, including winter in Sweden! Join us as we share Swedish holiday traditions with Philadelphia and learn more about traditions from other regions around the world. Our display will feature Swedish food, music, and a traditional Swedish craft activity. For more information and tickets visit https://fairmountpark.ticketleap.com/holidays-in-the-park-at-lemon-hill/details

If you can't make it on December 9th, stop in to visit the beautifully renovated Lemon Hill Mansion decorated for the holidays the next two weekends in December.

Our Christmas Market is open again today! Check out some amazing items that are still available from our wonderful vendors!

Not able to make it to the Lucia celebration in person this year? No worries! We will stream the Saturday December 2nd 2PM Lucia performance right here on Facebook Live.

Share with friends and family anywhere who would like to tune in for this special event!

Celebrate the holidays at ASHM this weekend! Which events are you joining us for?

Visit americanswedish.org for more info about event registration and parking. See you this weekend!

Lucia and Christmas Market is only a few days away! Visit our outdoor market for handmade crafts, bakery and deli items, and a variety of other Swedish gifts. Enjoy holiday food in the Swedish Christmas Cafe, and watch Lucia processions in the Main Hall at 11:30 and 2:00.

See https://www.americanswedish.org/events/lucia-christmas-market-2 for more info, deli pre-order forms, and parking information!

It’s your last chance to join us for Julbord Dinner! This Swedish holiday smörgåsbord prepared by Jeffrey A. Miller Catering includes Christmas ham, herrings, meatballs, salads, and bread. A selection of ASHM Christmas Market vendors will also be open from 5-7 pm, so you can shop while you enjoy a drink and some hors d'oeuvres before dinner.

Space is limited, register here: https://www.americanswedish.org/events/julbord-dinner-0

Support the work of ASHM by donating this Giving Tuesday! Donations support the exhibitions and programs that take place at ASHM all year. Make a donation at shop.americanswedish.org or mail a check with Giving Tuesday in the memo line.