Swedish American Historical Society of Wisconsin

• 1 PM – 3 PM on Sept 13, 2025
• St. Anskar’s Episcopal Church
• N48w31340 Hill St (State Road 83), Hartland, WI

It was on May 6, 1975 when the Swedish American Historical Society of Wisconsin Inc. application was submitted for incorporation as a non-profit organization whose purpose was to promote a greater awareness and appreciation of the role of Swedish immigrants in the growth and development of Wisconsin. Harry Anderson was elected President, Richard Horngren Secretary, and Anders Segerdahl Treasurer. The Incorporation was approved on May 9th by the Secretary of State in Madison.

It was October of 1841 when Gustaf Unonius accompanied by his wife Lotten, Christine Sodergren who had been a maid at Lotten’s family, Iwar Hagberg, a student from Upsala, Carl Groth, a relative of Unonius, and Wilhelm Polman, a medical student, who they met on the ship going overseas, arrived in Milwaukee and settling on land at Pine Lake, Wisconsin. 3 years earlier Carl Friman had arrived and settled down in Genoa City with his 5 sons. This was the beginning of Swedish immigration to Wisconsin.

We will celebrate with savory Swedish Food, Music and Immigration Stories. If you can, bring your favorite Swedish dish to share. Descendants of the first Swedish pioneers will share their stories and food. Traditional Swedish Folk Music will be played by our very own folk group Goda Vänner. Make this an event you cannot miss. The church St. Anskar’s Episcopal Church is the partly the descendent of Pine Lake Scandinavian Parish, and is the location of the Wisconsin State Historical Marker recognizing Gustaf Unonius, New Upsala, and the Scandinavian Parish.

At the SAHSWI Fika meeting on May 17, 2025, SAHSWI member Michaela Yukus gave an inspiring and very interesting presentation about the Sami people. Sami country – known as Sápmi – stretches across the northern parts of Sweden, Norway and Finland, and Russia’s Kola Peninsula. The Sami are one of the world’s indigenous peoples and one of Sweden’s official national minorities. Michaela’s presentation was packed with facts….

• There are 9 different Sami groups speaking different languages
• The early settlers came to the Sápmi over 10 thousand years ago
• Petroglyphs are Sami carvings dating back 6 thousand years
• Traditionally Samis lived tentlike structures called Lavvu made by sticks and reindeer hides
• Samis eat reindeer meat and cheese soaked in coffee as a treat. (Kaffeost)
• Gakti is the iconic traditional dress of the Sami People.

Find out more about these facts and much, much more in Michaelas speech by pressing on the picture below

At the end of the presentation Michaela played a YouTube video of a traditional Sami Joik by Ellen Molnia (be aware of advertising in YouTube media)