American Swedish Historical Museum

The American Swedish Historical Museum is the oldest

During 1926, the Swedish-American committee of the Sesqui-Centennial International Exposition of 1926 was formed. Noted author and historian, Amandus Johnson was elected to be its president. From this activity grew a committee to plan ways to preserve the memory of the New Sweden colony which dated to 1638. The New Sweden Tricentennial Association was formed which commissioned and published Swedes In America, 1638–1938, a work of historical research which was edited by Adolph B. Benson and Naboth Hedin.^[2]

The first national campaign was underway to erect a Swedish Museum in Philadelphia began soon after. On June 2, 1926, Sweden's Crown Prince and future King

• Golden Map Room – First of three galleries devoted to New Sweden. Exhibits elaborate on the theme of Sweden in the 17th century.
• New Sweden Room – Gallery telling the story of life on the land on which the museum stands.
• The Stuga – Stuga means little house. This is a rendering of a 19th-century Swedish farmhouse interior.
• Nord Library – A research library with a collection focusing on the history of New Sweden and the 19th-century Swedish immigration.
• Linnaeus-Kalm Room – Named after
  Peter Kalm
  , exhibitions here feature Swedish decorative arts in glass and plants.
• Fredrika Bremer Room – Devoted to the accomplishments of Swedish women and named for Swedish novelist Fredrika Bremer.
• Jenny Lind Room – Devoted to the Swedish operatic singer Jenny Lind and the lasting effects of her widespread popularity in America.
• Chicago Room – Honoring the contributions of Swedish-American architects and builders.
• John Ericsson Room – Wall mural shows John Ericsson presenting his design for the ironclad Monitor (USS Monitor) to the War Cabinet of Abraham Lincoln.
• The Balcony – Paintings and sculptures by Swedish-American artists are exhibited, together with a selection of Swedish furniture.
• Changing Exhibit Gallery – Gallery that changes about 2 times a year.

Raoul Wallenberg Humanitarian Award

The American Swedish Historical Museum Spirit of Raoul Wallenberg Humanitarian Award is presented to an individual, individuals or organization who/which has demonstrated a commitment to humanitarianism through acts which achieve a significant contribution, other than money, to alleviate human suffering or injustice, involved sacrifices or risks and are performed without expectation of reward or recognition. The award is named after Raoul Wallenberg, the Swedish diplomat and his work to save Hungarian Jews during World War II.^{[citation needed]}

The Spirit of Raoul Wallenberg Award consists of a cash prize and a specially designed bowl from

Further reading

• ISBN 978-0-8383-0326-9
• Palmer, Irene Lucinda American Swedish Historical Museum (American Swedish History Museum. 1994)
• Ward, Christopher New Sweden on the Delaware (University of Pennsylvania Press. 1938)
• Ward, Christopher Delaware tercentenary almanack & historical repository (Delaware Tercentenary Commission. 1938)

• American Swedish Historical Museum - Official Website
• American Swedish Historical Museum - Floor Plan
• American Swedish Historical Museum - Art Exhibitions
• American Swedish Historical Museum - Image Gallery
• American Swedish Historical Museum - Publications
• Raoul Wallenberg Humanitarian Award

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