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Swedish American Museum | 5211 N. Clark St. | Chicago, IL 60640 | 773.728.8111 | info@samac.org
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On Friday, Jan. 13, 2012 the new exhibition Considering Flowers opened at the Museum. Considering Flowers displays a collection of watercolor floral paintings by Swedish-American artist, historian and gardener Karen Vaughn Harding of Rockford.
In this exhibit, the artist sets out to tell the stories of her flowers and garden in watercolors—something many artists have done before her and will continue to do. “Equally captivated by floral beauty and its evocative power, painters have always filled their canvases with flowers, using them as decorative or symbolic elements,” she says.
For more information about this exhibit and the events scheduled, please click here.
Please note: Beginners I and Beginners II classes are delayed one week. They will begin Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2012 at the same scheduled times.
Swedish Language Classes return this spring and begin Wednesday, Jan. 25 and Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2012! We will offer four levels–Beginners I, Beginners II, Intermediate, and Conversation/Advanced. To learn more about these classes, download our application or pay online, please click here to visit our Classes page.
Film Thursdays continue at the Museum with the screening of “Under the Sun” on Thursday, Feb. 2, at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. Directed by Colin Nutley, this Academy Award nominated film centers on an illiterate man Olof (Rolf Lassgård) living on his family farm after the death of his mother, who receives help from friend Erik (Johan Widerberg). Along comes newly-hired housekeeper Ellen (Helena Bergström), and romance ensues.
This is a free event, reservations are recommended. Coffee and sandwiches available at self-cost.
Do you see your favorite event on our front page? If not, scroll through our sidebar menu (the top-right of the page) or click here to visit our complete online calendar of programs and events! Stay in touch with us too on Facebook, Twitter, or our E-blast mailing list–all of which you can sign up for on the lower right of the page!

The Museum would like to thank everyone who participated in our Annual Appeal. Your donations allow us to continue in our mission to honor Swedish heritage, celebrate our traditions, and teach people of all backgrounds about Swedish history, art, and culture.
Donations to the Museum are always welcome and greatly appreciated! To learn more about how to make a donation and to share your generosity with the Museum–including monthly online donations–please click here to make a donation through Network For Good.

On Friday, Jan. 13, 2012 the new exhibition Considering Flowers opens at the Museum. Considering Flowers displays a collection of watercolor floral paintings by Swedish-American artist, historian and gardener Karen Vaughn Harding of Rockford.
In this exhibit, the artist sets out to tell the stories of her flowers and garden in watercolors—something many artists have done before her and will continue to do. “Equally captivated by floral beauty and its evocative power, painters have always filled their canvases with flowers, using them as decorative or symbolic elements,” she says.
For more information about this exhibit and the events scheduled, please click here.
Our last holiday event of the year! Help us celebrate the end of the season and take down all the decorations–all while singing songs, dancing around the Christmas tree, and eating snacks! Cost:$10 per family. To pay online, please click here.
Swedish Language Classes return this spring and begin Tuesday, Jan. 24 and Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2012! We will offer four levels–Beginners I, Beginners II, Intermediate, and Conversation/Advanced. To learn more about these classes, download our application or pay online, please click here to visit our Classes page.
Do you see your favorite event on our front page? If not, scroll through our sidebar menu (the top-right of the page) or click here to visit our complete online calendar of programs and events! Stay in touch with us too on Facebook, Twitter, or our E-blast mailing list–all of which you can sign up for on the lower right of the page!
The Museum would like to thank everyone who participated in our Annual Appeal. Your donations allow us to continue in our mission to honor Swedish heritage, celebrate our traditions, and teach people of all backgrounds about Swedish history, art, and culture.
Donations to the Museum are always welcome and greatly appreciated! To learn more about how to make a donation and to share your generosity with the Museum–including monthly online donations–please click here to make a donation through Network For Good.


The Swedish American Museum has increased hours for the 2011-2012 holiday season! To view the entire holiday hours, please click here. The holiday hours end Sunday, Jan. 8, 2012. We will resume regular hours of operation starting Monday, Jan. 9, 2012.
Our last holiday event of the year! Help us celebrate the end of the season and take down all the decorations–all while singing songs, dancing around the Christmas tree, and eating snacks! Cost:$10 per family. To pay online, please click here.
Swedish Language Classes return this spring and begin Tuesday, Jan. 24 and Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2012! We will offer four levels–Beginners I, Beginners II, Intermediate, and Conversation/Advanced. To learn more about these classes, download our application or pay online, please click here to visit our Classes page.
Do you see your favorite event on our front page? If not, scroll through our sidebar menu (the top-right of the page) or click here to visit our complete online calendar of programs and events! Stay in touch with us too on Facebook, Twitter, or our E-blast mailing list–all of which you can sign up for on the lower right of the page!
The holidays have arrived at the Museum. The gallery is filled with decorations, the Museum Store is stocked with traditional gifts, and we’ve had a great time celebrating Lucia and other annual holiday festivities. We hope you’ll join us. And, as the year draw to a close, we hope you’ll support the Museum by participating in our Annual Appeal.
Your donations allow us to continue in our mission to honor Swedish heritage, celebrate our traditions, and teach people of all backgrounds about Swedish history, art, and culture.
To learn more about how to make a donation and to share your generosity with the Museum–including monthly online donations–please click here to make a donation through Network For Good.

In observance of the coming holiday weekend, the Museum will be closed on Saturday, Dec. 31, 2011 and Sunday, Jan. 1, 2012.

The Swedish American Museum has increased hours for the 2011-2012 holiday season! To view the entire holiday hours and see when they start, please click here.
We also have a full schedule of holiday events that are already under way for the 2011-2012 holiday season! To view all the holiday events at the Museum, Click Here.
Our last holiday event of the year! Help us celebrate the end of the season and take down all the decorations–all while singing songs, dancing around the Christmas tree, and eating snacks! Cost:$10 per family. To pay online, please click here.
Swedish Language Classes return this spring and begin Tuesday, Jan. 24 and Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2012! We will offer four levels–Beginners I, Beginners II, Intermediate, and Conversation/Advanced. To learn more about these classes, download our application or pay online, please click here to visit our Classes page.
Do you see your favorite event on our front page? If not, scroll through our sidebar menu (the top-right of the page) or click here to visit our complete online calendar of programs and events! Stay in touch with us too on Facebook, Twitter, or our E-blast mailing list–all of which you can sign up for on the lower right of the page!
The holidays have arrived at the Museum. The gallery is filled with decorations, the Museum Store is stocked with traditional gifts, and we’ve had a great time celebrating Lucia and other annual holiday festivities. We hope you’ll join us. And, as the year draw to a close, we hope you’ll support the Museum by participating in our Annual Appeal.
Your donations allow us to continue in our mission to honor Swedish heritage, celebrate our traditions, and teach people of all backgrounds about Swedish history, art, and culture.
To learn more about how to make a donation and to share your generosity with the Museum–including monthly online donations–please click here to make a donation through Network For Good.

In observance of the coming holiday weekend, the Museum will be closed on Saturday, Dec. 24 and Sunday, Dec. 25, 2011.
The Swedish American Museum has increased hours for the 2011 holiday season! To view the entire holiday hours and see when they start, please click here.
We also have a full schedule of holiday events that are already under way for the 2011 holiday season! To view all the holiday events at the Museum, Click Here.
The Swedish American Museum participated in the Chicago Lucia Celebrations held on Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2011. Lucia candidates and the 2011 Lucia Queen celebrated starting at Daley Plaza in downtown Chicago and ending in Andersonville. To view some photos from the events taken by the Chicago Sun-Times, click here to visit the Chicago Sun-Times website.

Thank you to everyone who attended this year’s Julmiddag! We had a great time, and we look forward to next year’s festivities!
Julmiddag is a festive and traditional Swedish Christmas Smörgåsbord, served at the Museum (after the Swedish Christmas Service at Ebenezer Lutheran Church). Tomten (Santa) comes to give julklappar (presents) to all the children. There is also a Lucia procession, and everyone is welcome to dance around the Christmas tree.
Do you see your favorite event on our front page? If not, scroll through our sidebar menu (the top-right of the page) or click here to visit our complete online calendar of programs and events! Stay in touch with us too on Facebook, Twitter, or our E-blast mailing list–all of which you can sign up for on the lower right of the page!
The Swedish American Museum has increased hours for the 2011 holiday season! To view the entire holiday hours and see when they start, please click here.
We also have a full schedule of holiday events that are already under way for the 2011 holiday season! To view all the holiday events at the Museum, Click Here.

The Swedish American Museum will participate in the Chicago Lucia Celebrations held on Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2011. Starting at 11:30 a.m. at Daley Plaza in downtown Chicago, there will be Lucia candidates representing Swedish-American organizations throughout the Chicago area, and the Chicago 2011 Lucia Queen will be chosen. This is organized by the St. Lucia Committee Chair, Irene Strom-Spejcher, from the Central Swedish Committee.
Next, Andersonville’s St. Lucia Festival of Lights celebration includes a procession starting at 4:45 p.m. from the Swedish American Museum and returns for a program at 5 p.m. We will follow the Chicago 2011 Lucia Queen up and down Clark Street singing traditional songs. Finally at 7 p.m., the Lucia celebrations conclude at Ebenezer Lutheran Church, 1650 W. Foster Ave. in Chicago,with holiday songs, readings, and a Lucia procession.
Young professionals, students, and friends young at heart are invited to enjoy your favorite Holiday food, dance, and celebrate the season with Julbord at the Swedish American Museum with the Swedish American Chamber of Commerce (SACC) Young Professionals. To learn more about this event or to purchase a ticket, please click here.

Tickets for Julmiddag at the Museum are selling fast, and seating is limited. You may still place reservations by e-mailing Museum@samac.org or calling 773.728.8111. Pre-paid reservations are required. Please include the names and ages of all children who will be attending. To pay online, please click here.
Julmiddag is a festive and traditional Swedish Christmas Smörgåsbord, catered by Tre Kronor, served on Sunday, Dec. 18, 2011 at 5 p.m. (after the Swedish Christmas Service at Ebenezer Lutheran Church). Tomten (Santa) will be on hand to give julklappar (presents) to all the children. There will be a Lucia procession, and everyone is welcome to dance around the Christmas tree.
Late-er Night Andersonville on Friday, Dec. 16 from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. is another late-night neighborhood shopping experience for those who need last-minute gift purchases! At Late-er Night Andersonville, the Museum Store will offer a 15 percent discount for all Christmas ornaments (25 percent discount for Museum Members!).
For more information, please click here to visit the Andersonville website.
Do you see your favorite event on our front page? If not, scroll through our sidebar menu (the top-right of the page) or click here to visit our complete online calendar of programs and events! Stay in touch with us too on Facebook, Twitter, or our E-blast mailing list–all of which you can sign up for on the lower right of the page!
The Swedish American Museum has increased hours for the 2011 holiday season! To view the entire holiday hours and see when they start, please click here.
We also have a full schedule of holiday events that are already under way for the 2011 holiday season! To view all the holiday events at the Museum, Click Here.

The Swedish American Museum will participate in the Chicago Lucia Celebrations held on Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2011. Starting at 11:30 a.m. at Daley Plaza in downtown Chicago, there will be Lucia candidates representing Swedish-American organizations throughout the Chicago area, and the Chicago 2011 Lucia Queen will be chosen. This is organized by the St. Lucia Committee Chair, Irene Strom-Spejcher, from the Central Swedish Committee.
Next, Andersonville’s St. Lucia Festival of Lights celebration includes a procession starting at 4:45 p.m. from the Swedish American Museum and returns for a program at 5 p.m. We will follow the Chicago 2011 Lucia Queen up and down Clark Street singing traditional songs. Finally at 7 p.m., the Lucia celebrations conclude at Ebenezer Lutheran Church, 1650 W. Foster Ave. in Chicago,with holiday songs, readings, and a Lucia procession.
This year we have a new holiday event –Children’s Christmas Cooking! We invite children to learn how to make pepparkakor (Swedish Ginger cookie) and other Swedish Christmas candy and treats at this event on Tuesday, Dec. 20 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. These can make great gifts or the perfect dessert after your holiday meal! To learn more about this and other Children’s Museum events, please click here.

A display of Swedish Mora Clock wallhangings can be found on the second floor hallway of the Museum this month. These handmade and handpainted 100 percent cotton canvas Mora Clocks are designed by JS ELDER (artists Judy Seymour and Sallee Dawson) and are also available for purchase.
Do you see your favorite event on our front page? If not, scroll through our sidebar menu (the top-right of the page) or click here to visit our complete online calendar of programs and events! Stay in touch with us too on Facebook, Twitter, or our E-blast mailing list–all of which you can sign up for on the lower right of the page!
The Swedish American Museum has increased hours for the 2011 holiday season! To view the entire holiday hours and see when they start, please click here.
We also have a full schedule of holiday events that are already under way for the 2011 holiday season! To view all the holiday events at the Museum, Click Here.
The Swedish American Museum is once again part of the Chase Community Giving program! By voting for the Museum on the Chase Community Giving Facebook page, you can help the Museum win up to $250,000!

This year, Julmarknad will be held on
Saturday, Dec. 3 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 4 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
To view the list of vendors click here and click here for a list of Wikstrom’s food items available at Julmarknad. The current list of performers click here. Please look back for updates.
Julmarknad is the Museum’s annual Christmas Bazaar, where traditional Scandinavian and modern handicrafts will be available for purchase. Not only can you shop for your favorite Swedish and non-Swedish holiday gifts and more in the Museum main floor gallery, but you can visit the Children’s Museum for crafts, games, and a special visit from Santa! It’s entertainment for the whole family and includes a kaffestuga, Lucia processions, and folk dancers. $2 suggested admissions donation.
If you’d like to see a preview of what will be available at Julmarknad, come visit the Museum Store during Late Night Andersonville on Friday, Dec. 2, 2011 from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.!
The Museum’s current exhibition In the Footsteps of Our Mothers…closes Sunday, Nov. 27, 2011. Come see these wonderful textiles by Kerstin Rosengren soon, if you have not already!
In this display by Kerstin Rosengren, she explores the art and craft of traditional Swedish textiles, particularly those handed down through generations of women. To learn more about this exhibit, please click here.
Do you see your favorite event on our front page? If not, scroll through our sidebar menu (the top-right of the page) or click here to visit our complete online calendar of programs and events! Stay in touch with us too on Facebook, Twitter, or our E-blast mailing list–all of which you can sign up for on the lower right of the page!
The Swedish American Museum has increased hours for the 2011 holiday season, beginning with extended Museum Store hours on November 4, 2011. To view the entire holiday hours, please click here.
The Kerstin Andersson Museum Store invites you to enjoy an evening of Christmas shopping, glögg, and pepparkakor on Friday, Nov. 4! Specially priced items will available and members receive 20 percent discount on all items. Come preview our Christmas collection of wonderful gifts –and many new items–at the Museum Store!
Want to know more about our Holiday 2011 events? Click Here!

Swedish Tenor Mats Carlsson will perform selections of Jussi Bjorling’s music as part of the “Made in Sweden” tour on Friday, Nov. 4, at 8 p.m. in Anderson Chapel, at North Park University in Chicago. ”Made in Sweden” centers on celebrating the centennial of Jussi Bjorling’s birth and presents some of the greatest performers of the classical Swedish singing tradition, including Birgit Nilsson and others along with Jussi.
For more information about this concert or to purchase tickets, please click here to visit our online calendar.
Do you see your favorite event on our front page? If not, scroll through our sidebar menu (the top-right of the page) or click here to visit our complete online calendar of programs and events! Stay in touch with us too on Facebook, Twitter, or our E-blast mailing list–all of which you can sign up for on the lower right of the page!
The Swedish American Museum would like to thank all of our guests, sponsors, donors, advertisers, supporters, and committee members of Disco Ball, our annual ball, a wonderful evening! Disco Ball was held on Saturday, Oct. 22, 2011 at the Michigan Shores Club in Wilmette, Ill. We had a great time celebrating the Museum, our heritage, and honoring Dr. Gunnar Andersson, and hope our guests did too!
Join the Swedish American Museum in hosting a discussion about Chicago
author Richard Lindberg’s latest book, The Whiskey Breakfast: My Swedish Family, My American Life, on Saturday, Oct. 29 from 4 p.m. – 7 p.m. Lindberg is a well-known speaker, historian and the author of 15 books about Chicago history.
For more information about this event, please click here to visit our online calendar.
The Kerstin Andersson Museum Store invites you to enjoy an evening of Christmas shopping, glögg, and pepparkakor on Friday, Nov. 4! Specially priced items will available and members receive 20 percent discount on all items. Come preview our Christmas collection of wonderful gifts –and many new items–at the Museum Store!

Swedish Tenor Mats Carlsson will perform selections of Jussi Bjorling’s music as part of the “Made in Sweden” tour on Friday, Nov. 4, at 8 p.m. in Anderson Chapel, at North Park University in Chicago. ”Made in Sweden” centers on celebrating the centennial of Jussi Bjorling’s birth and presents some of the greatest performers of the classical Swedish singing tradition, including Birgit Nilsson and others along with Jussi.
For more information about this concert or to purchase tickets, please click here to visit our online calendar.
Do you see your favorite event on our front page? If not, scroll through our sidebar menu (the top-right of the page) or click here to visit our complete online calendar of programs and events! Stay in touch with us too on Facebook, Twitter, or our E-blast mailing list–all of which you can sign up for on the lower right of the page!