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.
Harry Anderson and the 50 years celebration logo
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.
The ship Minnet, Gustaf Unonius, and the first cabin at Pine Lake, settlement of New Upsala
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)
Come, celebrate the traditional Scandinavian Midsommar on Sunday, June 22, 2025 from 1 – 4 p.m. at Heidelberg Park by Bavarian Bierhaus, 700 West Lexington Blvd., Glendale, Wisconsin. The event is open to the public.
To celebrate Midsommar is to celebrate of the longest day of the year. The Midsommar festivities includes decoration of the Majstång (Maypole) with greens and flowers, a procession of raising the decorated pole led by Goda Vänner playing “I sommarens soliga dagar” (In the sunny days of summer) on violin. Then dancing around the majstång and singing the special Swedish songs like “små grodorna” (the little frogs) and “vi äro musikanter” (we are all musicians).
Raising the Majsång at the 2024 Midsommar celebration
At the Midsommar celebration you can make your own flower crown to wear.
2024 Midsommar Flower Crowns
You can listen to and enjoy traditional Swedish folk music played by the music group, Goda Vännar. …and Lykkeringen Dancers are back this year to perform traditional Scandinavian Folk Dances.
Goda Vänner and Lykkeringen Dancers
Many activities for the children of all ages. Play the game of Kubb, known as “Viking chess.” Games and crafts like Facepainting, Sack races, Tug of War and more.
Visit the Swedish American History table and learn about Swedish immigration to Wisconsin and the Swedish Genealogy table and find out more about how to research your own ancestry.
If you want to bring something home, check out the sale table. You can purchase delightful Swedish items donated by SAHSWI members.
So, bring your own lawn chairs, and join us for a FREE afternoon of fun at our Scandinavian Midsommar Celebration. If possible, bring greenery and help decorate the Majstång. Bavarian Bierhaus staff will provide a variety of food for sale, including Swedish meatballs and other Swedish items. Note: No food may be brought into the Park.
Next Fika meeting is scheduled Saturday, May 17, 2025, starting at 1:30 PM at Martin Luther Lutheran Church, 9235 West Bluemound Road, Milwaukee located just east of the Milwaukee Zoo. SAHSWI member Michaela Yukus will present the program about the Swedish Samis.
The Sami are one of the world’s indigenous peoples and one of Sweden’s official national minorities.
Sami country – known as Sápmi – stretches across the northern parts of Sweden, Norway and Finland, and Russia’s Kola Peninsula. The original settlement was even larger, but the indigenous Sami were gradually forced to give up land, first to farmers starting in the 1650s and later to industries such as forestry and mining. (Reference: Sweden.se)
Come to the next FIKA meeting to find out more about the Samis from Michaela Yukus.
After the presentation enjoy traditional Fika the Swedish way. If you can, bring a dish to share. Do you have a favorite Swedish recipe you want to share? If so, bring it and we can add it to the website SwedishFood Heritage page.
At the Swedish American Historical Society of Wisconsin (SAHSWI) 2025 March Fika meeting member and Vasa Order Linde Lodge President Brent Erickson made a presentation about Fäbodar and the practice of Summer Farming that has existed in Sweden and Norway for thousands of years.Fäbodkultur is a UNESCO-Listed Heritage of Traditional Summer Farming.
Summer Farming refers to the practice of moving livestock to outlying lands in late spring. It entails knowledge concerning animal husbandry and herding, dairy production, land management and handicrafts. It also involves herding calls, songs, storytelling and rituals. Summer farms may be private or collectively run, and some organize sustainable tourism and sell dairy products. The practice has inspired literature, performing and visual arts. It is a source of pride, continuity and identity for many Scandinavian societies.
Brent discussed his family ties to this unique culture. He is a descendent of Der Erik Jakobson, (Der referred to the farm named Dergården). Der Erik Jacobssons daughter Sarah was Brent’s father’s Grandmother and she lived on a Fäbod during the summers. Dergården is located in Myrbacka, which is close to Noret where Sarah was born. Brent’s father’s grandfather lived in Järna (also called DalaJärna). All these places are close and located in Dalarna, Sweden. The entire Der Erik Jabobsson family emigrated to Jackson County, Wisconsin in 1883. (Brent has also contributed a story about his ancestor’s emigration available on this website My Swedish Heritage.)
Brent’s presentation included several videos of practices part of the Summer Farming tradition. The Cow Horn (Swedish Kohorn) was used to call the cows home for milking. (This is a link to a YouTube video and may include advertising)
Another method for calling cows is kulning, a herding call and vocal technique practiced by Scandinavian women. (This is a link to a YouTube video)
Scandinavian Summer Farming or Swedish Fäbodskultur was included in UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list in 2024.
Below is a link to Brent’s whole presentation, including more information, pictures, and videos and also about the Fäbod established by immigrants at Bishop Hill, Illinois
Marge Jothen is celebrating her 106th birthday March 13, 2025. Her grandparents and several of their family immigrated to Chisago County, Minnesota between1869 and 1892 mainly from Småland, Sweden. Born in 1919, she came to Milwaukee in 1921 and to Whitefish Bay in 1928. She has had an amazing life and career. She has written 2 books about her ancestry available online: Marge’s books.
Marge joined Swedish American Historical Society of Wisconsin (SAHSWI) in the mid-80s and has served the organization in many capacities:
Served on the Board of Directors for many years
Been both President and Vice President
Leading the Genealogy Research at SAHSWI and at Scandinavian Fest
Playing the Organ at many Fika meetings and other events
Singing with the Scandinavian Chorus
Updating and ensuring Historical files are maintained
Documenting in many volumes of scrap books the society events and newspaper articles
Been a member and a role model for over 40 years
In March 2011 Marge received the SCA Award of Merit in recognition of outstanding contributions and as an expression of gratitude for the many years of dedicated service to the Swedish-American community.
Marge, from all of us at the Swedish American Historical Society of Wisconsin we wish you a terrific …
Next Fika meeting is scheduled Saturday, March 22, 2025, starting at 1:30 PM at Martin Luther Lutheran Church, 9235 West Bluemound Road, Milwaukee located just east of the Milwaukee Zoo. SAHSWI member and Linde Lodge President, Brendt Erickson will present the program: Fäbodkultur – Sweden’s UNESCO-Listed Heritage of Traditional Summer Farming.
After the presentation enjoy traditional Fika the Swedish way. If you can, bring a dish to share. Do you have a favorite Swedish recipe you want to share? If so, bring it and we can add it to the website SwedishFood Heritage page.
Interested in Scandinavian Folk Dance?
The Lykkeringen Nordic Dance Group is looking for additional dancers. If interested contact “Philip Reykdal” philreykdal@yahoo.com or “Caroline Sanderson” cee53220@yahoo.com
The first Fika meeting in 2025 took place Saturday January 25 at Martin Luther Lutheran Church in Milwaukee. About 40 people enjoyed Cookie Anderson presentation of Swedish Authors. She reviewed 14 different writers from the 18th century to the present.
Emanuel Swedenborg born in 1688, Camilla Läckberg born 1974
As she announced before the meeting – “Swedes are incredibly gifted writers. To name a few: Astrid Lindgren was Swedish writer of fiction and screenplays. She is best known for several children’s book series, including Pippi Longstocking, Emil of Lönneberga, and Karlson-on-the-roof. Henning Mankell, was a Swedish crime writer best known for a series of mystery novels starring Inspector Kurt Wallander. Steig Larsson, writer of the second-best-selling fiction author in the world for 2008 of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo and the bestselling book in the United States in 2010 The Girl Who Kicked the Hornets’ Nest.
Fredrik Backman’s novel A Man Called Ove was adopted in the movie A Man Called Otto in 2022 starring Tom Hanks.
Please find Cookie’s presentation of all authors here. Presentation Link.
What did you learn from Cookies presentation? Here is the quiz that she gave the participants of the meeting before her presentation. We make it easier on this blog, here are the questions.
SWEDISH WRITERS QUIZ
1. Who was the first woman to win the Nobel Prize for Literature? Extra point for naming one of her books.
2. What filmmaker who made many many films also wrote many scripts? Name a film. Extra point for the name of one of his wives.
3. The book and film, A Man Called Ove, was written by which Swedish writer? Extra points for naming another book he wrote.
4. A favorite childhood book by Astrid Lindgren is called?
5. A series of 3 bestselling books came out some years back by Steig Larsson. Name one of the trilogy: extra points for all three!
6. Vilhelm Moberg wrote a 4 volume series called the Emigrants. What was it about?
7. Maj Sjöwall and Per Wahlöö wrote about a male detective series situated in Stockholm. What was the name of the series? Who was the detective?
8. Henning Mankell wrote many detective books. BBC created a series for television of one of his detectives. What was the series called? Extra points for the first name of the detective. Extra extra points for who starred in the series?
Don’t forget the 2025 first SAHSWI Fika meeting on Saturday January 25, starting at 1:30 PM at Martin Luther Lutheran Church, 9235 West Bluemound Road, Milwaukee featuring Cookie Anderson presentation about Swedish Authors.January 25 Fika meeting.
Updatesfrom the end of 2024
The end of the year is always a hectic time, we all celebrate Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years. In addition, we have all important SAHSWI meetings and celebrations, our annual meeting in October, our participation in the Holiday Folk Fair International for 3 days in November, and our beautiful Lucia celebration in December. And, this year we were invited to celebrate the Swedish New Year at Lakefront Brewery. Here are some updates from these events.
Annual Meeting
2024 SAHSWI Annual General meeting was held on October 19, 2024, at Martin Luther Lutheran Church, Milwaukee. Congratulations to Janet Taylor,Irene Roberts, and Meg Haag who were elected to each serve a 3-year term on the Board of Directors. Already Board Directors Janet and Irene were re-elected to serve an additional 3-year term. We are very pleased to welcome Meg Haag as a newcomer on the Board. Meg is a member of St. Anskar’s Episcopal Church in Hartland and was together Sarah Hintz project team members on the State Historical Marker project, recognizing Gustaf Unonius, New Upsala, and The Scandinavian Parish. For the last three years Meg and Sarah hosted meetings at the church. Meg provided information and coordination with local area churches and Nashotah House Seminary and arranged the Heritage Tour in 2023 visiting Nashotah House, the Holy Innocents Cemetery, Chenequa Village Hall (the site of New Upsala) and St. Anskar’s Church.
Historical Marker at St. Anskar’s Church. Meg Haag in between Tracy Redman and Martha Bergland
Following the election, Officers and Committee leaders’ annual reports were presented. These reports are available on the SAHSWI website.
The program at the Annual General Meeting was dedicated to Harry H Anderson who sadly passed away in May 2024. For a report on the program please go to
Swedish American Historical Society of Wisconsin together with Vasa Order of America, Linde Lodge represented Sweden in the Nordic Council of Wisconsin cultural booth at the Folk Fair at Milwaukee State Fair Park held from Friday November 22 to Sunday November 24. The theme for the Folk Fair was “Celebrate the Culture of Traditional Art”. Traditional Art embodies painting, pottery, sculpture, textiles, metalwork, and many others.
Left: SAHSWI members John Engel and Brent Erickson (Linde Lodge President). Right: Lisa, Joseph and Eli Kaltenberg
Items displayed included Table Runners, Pottery, Crystal, Wood Carvings, Gotland Sheep Skin, Children’s Clothing, and Straw Ornaments. Each reviewed in the attached short document.
18 volunteers from Linde Lodge and SAHSWI represented Sweden during the three days, each working a 4-hrs shift. In the list below L=Member of Linde Lodge, S=Member of SAHSWI. Thank you very much to all volunteers.
Left: Arlette Johnson (Sons of Norway), Liza Ekstrand, Elaine Johnson Right: Allen, Linda and Anja Stenmark (Linde Lodge)
In a separate area a display was set up where a traditional dessert dish from each country was presented.
Nordic Council submission of typical desserts for each of the Nordic Countries
Several SAHSWI members participated in a Swedish New Year celebration at Lakefront Brewery. We appreciate this initiative by Lakefront Brewery. It was a sold-out event, and very well received by all who attended. What a great idea to celebrate the New Year at local 5 PM, midnight in Sweden.
Lakefront Brewery, 1872 North Commerce Street, Milwaukee is hosting a Swedish New Year event on December 31, 3PM – 7PM. Please see announcement below.
Lakefront Brewery:“We’re celebrating Wisconsin’s Swedish heritage here at Lakefront Brewery by hosting the only public Swedish New Year event in the Greater Milwaukee area, dare we say Wisconsin? Expect proper decor, both modern and traditional Swedish music hits, and plenty of dancing. Sweden will ring in the New Year at 5PM Central Time (CT) and we will be providing a live Swedish television feed of the countdown right here in the Beer Hall.”
Depending on how many members or interested parties of Swedish American Historical Society of Wisconsin (SAHSWI) registers an area may be reserved for the society. For families, children under the age of 12 are free and their food may be purchased from a regular menu. Information about SAHSWI and how to become a member will be available at the event.
Swedish American Historical Society of Wisconsin 