Kurt Mathiasson, founder of the Swedish American Museum

2016 is an exciting year for the Museum as we celebrate our 40^th anniversary, as well as Brunk’s 15 fantastic years. What started out as a small storefront log cabin in 1976, has evolved into the renowned Chicago landmark that it is today thanks to the dedication and support of our leaders, both past and present. Founded by Kurt Mathiasson, the Swedish immigrant affectionately known as the “Mayor of Andersonville,” the Museum’s first location served as a modest symbol of Swedish-American culture and heritage in Chicago. While humble in size, Mathiasson’s cabin was still able to garner the attention of his majesty Carl XVI Gustaf, King of Sweden, who was present for the Museum’s opening day during the U.S. Bicentennial Year.

As the Museum grew and increased in support and popularity, we moved to our current location in 1987, the former site of Lind Hardware. Once again, the King of Sweden returned to celebrate a new beginning with the Queen by his side. Building on that excitement, Mayor Eugene Sawyer was inspired to declare 1988 the “Year of New Sweden” and the city of Chicago donated $40,000 to the Museum.

In the late 1990s, the Museum underwent renovations adding new gallery space and the “Dream of America” exhibit. This exhibit was made possible by the generous donations of the Nordiska Museet in Stockholm, Sweden. Renovation continued in the early 2000s when the grand staircase was added, providing direct access to the second floor exhibit. We then opened our doors to the nation’s first children’s immigration museum–the Brunk Children’s Museum of Immigration.

In 2006, we celebrated 30 years with the “A New Face in Andersonville” campaign, which brought about a modernized front façade and signage, as well as the Kerstin Andersson Museum Store and the remodeled Barbro Osher Lobby. Seven years later, our Buzz Aldrin exhibit became a permanent addition to the Children’s Museum and we acquired a dedicated parking lot thanks to the Nelson Funeral Home.

Today, as we are inspired by our early leaders to continue our mission into the future, we are embracing fresh opportunities for growth that enable us to better connect with new generations. With the one million dollars we hope to raise with our 40^th Anniversary Campaign, we plan to give visitors a deeper understanding and appreciation for the ongoing immigration story. We will continue to build the Museum’s reputation as a premier destination for Swedish art, history and culture through interactive exhibits, digital storytelling, and an improved Genealogy Center.

Our plans include increasing opportunities for involvement for students, young adults and families, through modernized classroom areas and technology updates. We also intend to expand the Kerstin Andersson Museum Store and open an adjacent Swedish café that will help preserve Swedish heritage in Andersonville.

We ask you to join us in realizing this vision that will serve our community well into the next 40 years. We invite you to commemorate 2016 with our 40 and 15-year birthday celebrations, the arrival of the new Andersonville Water Tower replica, and the launch of our 40^th Anniversary Campaign.

– Allison Deerr, Fundraising Coordinator 

The original Andersonville Water Tower that stood for 90 years before it was damaged by an extraordinarily harsh winter in 2014.

2016 brings us new beginnings, fresh opportunities, and the chance to restore our community’s treasured landmark. As we say “hejdå” to 2015 and “hej” to the new year, the Museum will celebrate its 40^th anniversary, as well as the 15^th birthday of the Brunk Children’s Museum of Immigration. In addition to recognizing these significant achievements, the Museum is looking forward to erecting a replica of the iconic and sorely missed Andersonville Water Tower.

While the replica will not serve as a functioning replacement for the former water tower, it will serve as a reminder of our history and a symbol of our perseverance. To date, the Museum has raised nearly $120,000 of the projected $150,000 needed for the Water Tower Fund. We want to express our gratitude to those who participated in our can drive throughout 2014 and 2015, as we were able to raise more than $1,000 toward the cause, thanks to the support of our loyal allies along North Clark Street. We would also like to thank those who provided major gifts of $10,000 or more: Museum life trustees Ulla and Bertil Brunk, the Edith Marie Appleton Foundation by Museum trustee Albert Goodman, the Andersonville Chamber of Commerce, and life trustees Bo and Anita Hedfors.

We are proud to report that the new design concept is coming along smoothly and the construction should be underway as soon as the necessary permits have been received. We will keep you updated as we look forward to celebrating these milestones with all of you throughout 2016.

– Allison Deerr, Fundraising Coordinator