Swedish American Genealogist
Volume 34 | Number 2 Article 9
6-1-2014 Kalmar Nyckel sails again Sam Heed
Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.augustana.edu/swensonsag Part of the Genealogy Commons, and the Scandinavian Studies Commons
Recommended Citation Heed, Sam (2014) "Kalmar Nyckel sails again," Swedish American Genealogist: Vol. 34 : No. 2 , Article 9. Available at: https://digitalcommons.augustana.edu/swensonsag/vol34/iss2/9
This Article is brought to you for free and open access by Augustana Digital Commons. It has been accepted for inclusion in Swedish American Genealogist by an authorized editor of Augustana Digital Commons. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Kalmar Nyckel Sails Again
A 375th anniversary celebration of the voyage that founded New Sweden
BY SAM HEED Senior Historian & Director of Education, Kalmar Nyckel Foundation
"Sail back with us to the year 1638. hope was to produce something that mier educational destination in the Climb aboard the original Kalmar would serve the needs of teachers Delaware Valley. The new 18,000 Nyckel as she embarks on her first and students at the secondary level square foot, 3-story facility and storm-tossed crossing of the Atlantic while perhaps exciting the interest shipyard improvements will address - destination, somewhere in the of the general public. many needs of our growing organi- middle of the "New World." You'll For those unfamiliar with us, the zation, allowing us to extend the have time to "learn the ropes" along Kalmar Nyckel Foundation is a non- reach of our educational programs the way, and, while you're at it and profit educational organization ded- and keep the Kalmar Nyckel in ship- hauling line, you may enjoy having a icated to "preserving and promoting shape condition. "deck's-eyed" view of the ship that the cultural and maritime heritage We will be holding a "Grand launched New Sweden. Join Gover- of Delaware for the education and Opening" gala and weekend cele- nor Peter Minuit and the "away team" enrichment of all"— a significant por- bration Saturday and Sunday, Octo- as they step off at "the Rocks" landing tion of which is Swedish! Yes, we fly ber 18th & 19th, 2014. So, please site, soon to be famous as the first per- the Swedish flag atop the mainmast consider this an open invitation, and manent European settlement in the for a reason, and we are rightfully we hope you'll come visit us soon! Delaware Valley. Parley with the proud of our Swedish heritage. We're located on Wilmington's his- sachems of the local tribes, and then The Foundation is a volunteer- toric 7th Street Peninsula, imme- begin to build that crude little based organization that built, owns, diately adjacent to Fort Christina stockade, which will soon be called and operates the modern-day Kal- State Park and 200 yards down- Fort Christina in honor of your mar Nyckel, which is a full-scale and stream from "the Rocks" - which twelve-year-old sovereign queen. faithful reproduction of Peter Min- were used as the actual landing site Construct the first log-cabin struc- uit's flagship. We have over 300 active and still exist. tures on American soil, and then stay volunteers, who provided more than Softbound copies of the Kalmar behind to hold the fort - quite lit- 49,000 volunteer hours of service in Nyckel Sails Again booklet are erally. As one of the first 24 soldier- 2013. We couldn't sail off the dock, available for order ($12.00 + 3.00 settlers, wave goodbye as Peter Minuit let alone maintain our magnificent shipping). If you are interested in sails away with the Kalmar Nyckel, ship or deliver much of our edu- obtaining a copy, please contact the and wonder if- not just when -you cational programs, without the vol- Kalmar Nyckel Foundation office at will ever see him, the ship, or beloved unteers. The ship serves as a floating 302.429.7447 or e-mail us at Sweden again. classroom and inspirational platform [email protected]. Kalmar Nyckel Sails Again is a for variety of sea- and land-based The online version is freely avail- new educational resource — part his- education programs, and we reach able, see link on p. 30. tory, part story - for teachers and tens of thousands of students of all This 375th anniversary education- students in Delaware and beyond. ages each year. We are a special place, al resource is supported by grants Intended as a "meditation" on the with a special ship, a ship that draws from the Swedish Council of America challenges of transatlantic voyaging to it a community of special people. and the Delaware Humanities Fo- in the 17th century, the essay was We like what we're doing at the Kal- rum. It gets used as part of the state written for the 375th anniversary of mar Nyckel Foundation, living in the curriculum in Delaware and is dis- the founding of New Sweden. The 21st century and sometimes working tributed freely to history teachers online version of the booklet serves in the 17th, and we hope it shows. throughout the state. the Delaware Department of Edu- I'm pleased to be able to announce cation as part of the state's high that we're also in the midst of build- First published in Sverigekontakt school curriculum. By including the ing a new education center and ship 2014/2. Thanks to Eva Hedencrona at stunning photography of Andrew maintenance facility, which, together Sverigekontakt. Hanna, an extraordinary volunteer with a new dock and much-improved and Kalmar Nyckel crew member, my shipyard, will help make us a pre-
Swedish American Genealogist 2014:2 19