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Swedish Pioneer Centennial Association Records

 Collection
Identifier: SAAGC/005

Scope and Contents

The records of the Swedish Pioneer Centennial Association document the development and activities of the Swedish Pioneer Centennial Association. The collection includes the correspondence files of the Executive Secretary (Nils William Olsson), 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.

Dates

  • 1942 - 1949

Creator

Language of Materials

English and Swedish.

Conditions Governing Access

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.

Biographical / Historical

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.

Extent

2.5 Linear Feet (5 containers)

Arrangement

Arranged by topic and then chonologically. 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.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

The records of the Swedish Pioneer Centennial Association (Accession 84/5) were transferred to the Swedish-American Archives of Greater Chicago in 1984.

Related Materials

Swedish Pioneer Historical Society Records, 1948-1983 (SAAGC MSS #4)

Separated Materials

The records of the Swedish Pioneer Centennial Association and the Swedish Pioneer Historical Society (SAAGC MSS #4) were separated out of a single collection. An approximate separation date of October 15, 1948 to December 31, 1948 is used to divide the two groups, although this is not strictly adhered to.

Processing Information

Eric K. Lundberg, October 1984 - March 1985.

Language of description
Undetermined
Script of description
Code for undetermined script
Sponsor
Funding to migrate and update this finding aid was provided by the Swedish Council of America through the 2019 grant "Improving and Expanding Access to the Swedish–American Archives of Greater Chicago."

Repository Details

Part of the Swedish-American Archives of Greater Chicago Repository

Contact:
3225 W Foster Ave
Box 38
Chicago IL 60625 USA
773-583-5722