Swedish Club of Chicago Records

The Swedish Club of Chicago traces its beginnings to Föreningen Freja, an immigrant singing society started in 1869 and incorporated in 1874. This society bought insurance for, and paid sick benefits to, its members. When Föreningen Freja became dormant in the years 1881 to 1886, some of its members merged with non‑singers to form "Svenska Klubben" (The Swedish Club) in 1882. This social club was located at 155 East Chicago Avenue. Föreningen Freja was reactivated in 1887 as Svenska Sångsällskapet (the Swedish Singing Society) which changed its name to Svenska Sångsällskapet Freja in 1889. On December 13, 1889 it merged with Svenska Klubben to form the Svenska Glee‑Klubben i Chicago (the Swedish Glee Club in Chicago), which can be seen as the direct ancestor of the Swedish Club of Chicago.

On April 13, 1896 Svenska Glee‑Klubben i Chicago moved into the building on 1258 North LaSalle (at the time it was 470 North LaSalle because of a different numbering system) which would later be known as the Swedish Club of Chicago. In 1906 Svenska Glee‑Klubben changed its name to Svenska Klubben after its singing director and some of its singers left. The Chicago Swedish Glee Club was soon established as a separate organization. Svenska Klubben applied for incorporation in the State of Illinois in 1923, but the Secretary of State refused to incorporate an organization with a foreign name. "The Swedish Club of Chicago" had at first simply been the name of the stock company created by Svenska Glee‑Klubben i Chicago in 1893. When Svenska Klubben was denied incorporation it took the name "The Swedish Club of Chicago" and was incorporated on July 13, 1923.

The Constitution and Bylaws of Svenska Klubben adopted March 2, 1922 state that: "The object of this association shall be: to preserve Swedish Language, Customs, Song, Music, Art, and Industry; to promote Social Intercourse; to maintain a Club House and Library."

New bylaws were amended in 1930 and again in 1949. Among other changes, the above paragraph was rewritten in 1930 to include "manly sports", and in 1949 to include "education". The 1922 bylaws stated that any one interested in the goals of the club could join. However, the 1930 revisions set a limit of 100 non‑Swedish members. A level of 400 had been set for Swedish‑American members in 1922. Honorary memberships were also established in 1922; these included the Swedish Ambassador in Washington, the Swedish Consul in Chicago, the Governor of Illinois, and the Mayor of Chicago.

The activities of the Swedish Club of Chicago, most clearly documented by its scrapbooks from the years 1937‑1973, reflected the object of the organization as stated in 1922. Among other things, events sponsored by the club included special dinners marking notable milestones or accomplishments of members, holiday dinners; New Years' and Midsummer celebrations, travelogues, dinner dances, golf outings, and herring breakfasts. The Club remained essentially a social club until its closing; although the Chicago Swedish Glee Club practiced in its own quarters in the club. The club also sponsored exhibitions of Swedish‑American art during the years 1911‑1964, as well as publishing The Swedish Club News.

After nearly a century of activity the Swedish Club of Chicago closed because of increasing costs and a shrinking pool of prospective members. The Swedish Club auction was held on November 11, 1984. As of March 24, 1988 the club exists as the Swedish Club Foundation.