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Swedish-American
Archives of Greater Chicago Manuscript
Collection #5 Swedish Pioneer
Centennial Association Records, 1942-1949
go to Printable Form SIZE:
5 Archives boxes ABSTRACT:
The records of the Swedish Pioneer Centennial Association comprise five
boxes and document the development and activities of the Swedish Pioneer
Centennial Association. The
collection includes the correspondence files of the Executive Secretary,
the President, and other officers and chairmen.
Also included are the Association’s financial and membership
records, program and lecture details, historical statements, and records
from three local committees. HISTORY:
On
December 1, 1945, a group representing the Swedish‑American
communities of Chicago, Rock Island, Minneapolis‑St. Paul,
Rockford, and New York City met at the Swedish Club in Chicago to
discuss plans for a 1948 centenary celebration of the settlement of
Swedish pioneers in the Midwest. The
suggestion for this celebration had been made that autumn by Naboth
Hedin of New York.
One impetus for a 1948 date was the one hundredth anniversary of
the Augustana Lutheran Church, which was being celebrated that year,
particularly in Rock Island. It
was decided by the group that instead of having one large event for the
entire area, it would be wisest to encourage the celebration in many
local areas. Invitations
were extended to the Swedish government and to the governors of
Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, Nebraska, and Kansas to
establish commissions and help organize various events.
In June of 1947, the Board of the Association appointed Professor
Nils William Olsson of the University of Chicago to be Executive
Director. That summer,
local chapters in Chicago, Rockford, Detroit, and Rock Island were
organized. Later committees
were organized in the Twin Cities, Omaha, Lincoln, Des Moines,
Milwaukee, Princeton, IL, and Lindsborg, KS.
New York and Philadelphia were also to take part.
The centennial celebration took place during the month of June
1948, starting with a program at the Chicago Stadium on June 4th, where
approximately 18,000 people gathered to hear President Truman, Prince
Bertil of Sweden, Carl Sandburg and others speak and perform.
Prince Bertil took part in many of the celebrations throughout
the Midwest and New York State.
In addition to the various programs organized for the centennial,
commemorative stamps were issued in both Sweden and America.
At the conclusion of the centennial, it was decided to convert
the Association into an historical society.
On October 15, 1948, it was officially incorporated as such.
In March, 1949 all Association interests were transferred toward
its reorganization as an historical society, and in early 1950 the
Association changed its name to the Swedish Pioneer Historical Society. ARRANGEMENT
NOTE: Nils
William Olsson, Executive Secretary of the Association, created the bulk
of the Correspondence files. Two types of arrangement are used for his
correspondence. General correspondence is organized chronologically;
this is followed by correspondence arranged alphabetically by group or
individual correspondent. Conrad
Bergendoff generated some of these records prior to the employment of
Nils William Olsson and Ingeborg Sylvander, secretary for the
Association. ACCESS
RESTRICTIONS:
There are no access restrictions on the materials, and the collection is
open to all members of the public.
However, the researcher assumes full responsibility for
conforming with the laws of libel, privacy, and copyright that may be
involved in the use of this collection. PROCESSOR:
Eric K. Lundberg, October 1984 ‑ March 1985. RELATED
COLLECTIONS:
Swedish Pioneer Historical Society Records, 1948-1983 (SAAGC MSS
#4) CONTAINER
LIST:
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