Recently at the Museum
The Museum at the Swedish Days Festival
In late June, the Museum also took part in the Swedish Days Festival in Geneva, IL. This summer tradition celebrates the Swedish influences that helped shape the Geneva area into the exciting place it is today, and is filled with rides, activities, music, shopping, a parade, and more.
Midsommarfest
This year's Midsommarfest, which took place in early June, was a huge success. Not only did we serve food and drinks, have opportunities for crafts, and feature amazing music artists and athletes at our Swedish Stage, but we also introduced guests to our new core exhibit, We Are America. The Museum sends its thanks to all who came out to enjoy the festivities, and an extra huge thank you to the incredible volunteers who gave their time and energy to make the weekend a wonderful time.
We Are America...Now Open!
We are excited that our much-anticipated new core exhibit is now open! Be sure to come by to explore this wonderful exhibit that tells the Swedish immigration story through artifacts, personal stories, and interactive elements. We Are America is great for all ages. Whether you are most intrigued by the actual journey over the ocean, the establishment of a social circle in Chicago, or Swedish clubs and business that still exist in the area today, this exhibit is for you.
Exhibit Sponsored By: Institute of Museum and Library Services * Swedish American Museum 40th Anniversary Campaign * Morlights, LLC
Many thanks to our community who volunteered their time and donated their stories and items to the Museum.
Thank you to our exhibit team and to all those who made this exhibit possible!
Karin Moen Abercrombie - Executive Director * Phoebe Yates, Curator * Lisa Lindström, Collection Manager * Tamara Biggs, Project Advisor and Installation Lead * Miles Lindblad, Architect * Amy Reichart, Exhibit Designer * Jordan Mosher, Exhibit Designer * Mark Ramirez, Graphic Designer * Mark Schall, Contractor * Patience Baach, Exhibit Evaluator * Katie Biggs-Wrona, Mannequin Artist and Installation Team * Erin Bliss, Mountmaker and Installation Team * Kassadi Locke, Graphic Design Intern * Carol Turchan, Paper Conservator and Mountmaker * Geneva Wrona, Fabricator and Installation Team
Balance Digital Media Studios * Brad Larson Media, Inc. * Morlights, LLC * Most Visual * Progressive Communications, Inc. * Third Coast Conservation
Volunteer of the Year 2023
At our Volunteer Appreciation Dinner, we awarded our Volunteer of the Year for 2023, Vivi-Anne Erikson! Vivi-Anne brings a contagious positive energy to the Museum and she has made visits extra special for all of the guests she encounters. She puts her full energy and heart into her contributions here and we are extremely grateful for all she has done. Congratulations Vivi-Anne!
ABOVE: 2023 Volunteer of the Year Vivi-Anne Erikson with Layne Borden, Community Engagement Manager (left) and Karin Moen Abercrombie, Executive Director (right)
Exciting Member News
Allen Wheatcroft has a wonderfully unique perspective in that he has divided his time between Andersonville and Sörmland, Sweden for the past several years. His son and his son's family live in Sweden, so he have a strong connection with the country and culture.
Allen is an experienced photographer and he has two new photography books on press — one on Sweden (Björkevägen/Birch Road) and one on Chicago (The Northside). They were released at AIPAD in New York City in April, where he was there signing them as well.
