Svithiod Singing Club Records

The Svithiod Singing Club began when three members of the Svea Singing Club joined the first lodge of the Independent Order of Svithiod. This was in June of 1882. The first chairman of the club was N. P. Malmborg and the first conductor F. Bjornholtz.

They gave soiree entertainments and concerts in Svea Hall, Chicago Avenue and Larrabee, Brand's Hall on Clark and Erie Streets, and Uhlich's Hall on the southwest corner of Clark and Kedzie. They also participated at the unveiling of Carl von Linnes monument in Lincoln Park in 1891 and at the World's Fair in 1893.

In 1889 the chorus joined the United Scandinavian Singers of America, a national organization consisting of Danish, Norwegian, and Swedish choruses.

The chorus held it's first May festival at Svea Hall in 1891.

On Thanksgiving Day, November 24, 1892 the American Union of Swedish Singers was organized, replacing the disbanded United Scandinavian Singers of America, of which the Svithiod Singing Club was a charter member. On February 23, 1893 the club received a corporate certificate from the state of Illinois. The objective of the club was listed as "a society for the cultivation of the voice and other social amusements." During a singing contest held in 1896 the chorus won an embroidered silk banner as Champion Singers of Chicago.

Non‑singers of Swedish birth were admitted as "passive" members for the first time in 1897 and in 1898 a Ladies Associate Club was formed. It eventually changed its name to the Ladies Guild.

The club purchased property at 1768 Wrightwood Avenue for the sum of $8,500 in 1899. During the depression years the club struggled to survive, and until 1938 it looked as if the club would come to an end. However, by 1939 the membership reached 473 and the foundations were laid to build the club the way it is today. During the war years the club's activities were directed towards the war. Bonds were bought, the chorus sang at benefits, "Defense Dinners" were held, and supplies were sent to the men overseas.

The Svithiod Singing Club lost their clubhouse in a foreclosure on July 1, 1984. It has stood vacant since 1980. They presently meet at the Scandinavian Club in Arlington Heights.