American Swedish Historical Museum

The American Swedish Historical Museum in South Philadelphia is the oldest Swedish Museum in the United States. Founded in 1926, the Museum has been dedicated to preserving and promoting Swedish and Swedish-American cultural heritage and traditions for nearly 80 years. The Museum is a place where Swedes, Swedish-Americans, and people of all nationalities who appreciate Swedish contributions to history, art, architecture, music, science and technology can come together.

The beautiful Museum building was designed by the Swedish-American architect John Nyden. The inspiration came from Eriksberg Slott, a 17th-century mansion in Sweden, and Mount Vernon, George Washington’s home in Virginia. On June 2, 1926, Sweden’s Crown Prince Gustav Adolf placed the Museum’s cornerstone. By October the following year the construction was nearly finished.