SAHSWI 50 Years Celebration

Swedish immigration to Wisconsin started in 1838 when with Carl Friman and his five sons arrived in Genoa City. Three years later Gustaf Unonius with entourage arrived at Pine Lake and established the first Swedish settlement in Wisconsin, naming it New Upsala.

Fifty years ago—in 1975—in concordance with this country’s preparations to celebrate the bicentennial of its founding and to recognize the impact Swedish Americans have had on the development of our State, the Swedish American Historical Society of Wisconsin was created.

On Saturday, September 13, 2025 the Swedish American Historical Society of Wisconsin, Inc., celebrated its Fifty-Year Anniversary at St. Anskar’s Episcopal Church, in Hartland, WI, while also acknowledged the Wisconsin Historical Marker unveiled in 2024 recognizing Gustaf Unonius, New Upsala, and the Scandinavian Parish. About 60 people participated in the event.

The Program

Father Buchans welcomed everyone to St. Anskar’s Episcopal Church and Jan Ehrengren introduced the program for the day, saying that there would be no long speeches, only introductions to the various topics. The focus of the event was celebrating with good food and sweets, listening to the Swedish folk music. However, everyone would have access to documents describing topics in more detail. (See listing at the end of this article.)

Jan then introduced a presentation about the Historical Marker project, and a presentation about nearby places of interest related to the story of the Historical Marker. Martha Bergland talked about the founding of the Swedish American Historical Society of Wisconsin. Meg Haag introduced and showed for the first time the 50 year celebration coffee mug, which was given to all who participated in the event.

Many of the attendants are descendants of New Upsala Pioneers George Bergwall and Bengt Peterson. Cletus Hasslinger organized information and activities for family members. A special table was set up where information was shared.

The event featured an acapella performance by Bergwall descendent Margie Wittkopp of a Swedish hunting song, that was sung by New Upsala pioneers described in Gustaf Unonius memoirs.

Carol Gustafson introduced the food and treats. Leading up to the event she had supported Bergwall descendants prepare authentic Swedish food, Swedish Meatballs and Jansson’s temptation (Janssons Frestelse). She also introduced Goda Vänner, the Swedish Folk Music group she is a member of.

Goda Vänner entertained while everybody enjoyed the smorgasbord of food and sweets. A surprise participant in the celebration and joining in part of the Goda Vänner’s program was Lisa Horngren playing the unique Swedish instrument, the Nyckelharpa. Lisa is the daughter of Richard and Lillemor Horngren, Lillemor also participating and Richard being one of the founders of SAHSWI.

Thank you

We like to thank everybody that came and joined in the celebration, and to the many volunteers that brought treats to the event and in other ways made the event memorable. Special thanks to

  • Father Buchans, Doug and Meg Haag, and Sarah Hintz, St. Anskar’s Episcopal Church for hosting and supporting the event.
  • Carol Gustafson and Goda Vänner Mary Stetson and Patty Horn, and special guest Lisa Horngren
  • Cletus Hasslinger for organizing the activities for the descendants of Bengt Petterson and George Bergwall
    • Margaret Wittkopp for the research to identify the Hunting song and for sharing it at the event sining acapella
    • Melissa Minkley and Maureen Arndorfer for donating the ingredients and preparing the Swedish Meatballs
    • Monica Hasslinger for making the Swedish meatballs.
    • Mark Senfleben for helping with set-up and take-down of the event.
    • Elaine Hasslinger for donating some ingredients and for preparation of Janson’s Temptation.
    • Ann Bernier for helping to prepare the “Janssons Frestelse” (Janson’s Temptation)
  • Meg Haag for the design and all activities to produce the Anniversary Coffee Mugs
  • Martha Bergland for discussing the founding of SAHSWI
  • Bev Wenzell for preparing membership forms and nametags
  • Irene Roberts, Carol Gustafson, and ….. for helping in the kitchen
  • Joann Kreimendahl for handling the Wellcome desk
  • Tracy and Tim Redman, for helping where help was needed and for taking photos

Documents referred to at the 50 Years celebration of SAHSWI