Scandia, located 40 minutes northeast of the Twin Cities metro, is a city with a rich history of Swedish settlement. In fact, Scandia is arguably the first Swedish settlement in Minnesota's history. It all began in the year 1850, when three pioneers staked a claim near the site of present day Hay Lake: Carl Fernström, Oscar Roos, and August Sandahl.
The city's main attraction, Gammelgården, hosts scores of visitors from across the United States and Sweden. Meaning "Old Farm" or "Old Homestead" in Swedish, the museum has been around since 1972 and has deep connections to the neighboring Elim Lutheran Church.
Perhaps Scandia's most famous visitor, Swedish actress Ingrid Bergmann, arrived in 1942 for a Christmas worship service at Elim Lutheran. Her appearance was filmed as part of the 1943 U.S. Office of War Information film, Swedes in America.
"Swedes in America" footage is provided by the U.S. National Archives, and can be viewed in its entirety on the U.S. National Archives RU-vid page. Music in this video is provided royalty-free by the New York Spelmanslag.
Nybyggarna. Almelund. Svenskar i Minnesota. Svenskbygden i USA. Svenskar i Amerika. Svenskamerikan. Svenskamerikaner. Vilhelm Moberg. Karl Oskar. Swedes in Minnesota. Swedes in America. Swedish Americans. Washington County. Scandinavians in America. Minnesota History.
15 сен 2024
