A Turner in Jamestown
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Vol. 38 No. 2 Summer 2019 A Turner in Jamestown Immigration is the story of people and having been the second-largest furniture places, but we often forget how diverse maker in the United States for much these stories are. Instead, we focus on of its 200-year history (the largest general pictures and the archetypical being Grand Rapids, Michigan) and the immigrant’s story as representative of highest-proportion Swedish population millions of people. Similarly, it is easy in the East. These stories are closely to imagine the story of Scandinavian intertwined, as Jamestown Swedes immigration to the United States as provided skilled labor for hundreds of always being tied to the American West, furniture factories between the Civil War envisioning families working their way to and World War One. Illinois, Minnesota, or even further to the Before this, though, Jamestown was Pacific coast. But this is not the full story “little more than a ragged hole in a of the 2.3 million Scandinavians who gloomy forest wilderness”, as described Detail of miniature desk drawer by Oskar Anderson, came to the United States in the 1800s Jamestown, NY c. 1925. ASHM Collection by settler Obed Edson in 1816. He was not and early 1900s. far off—early Jamestown was an isolated Jamestown is a small town in lumber village surrounded by primeval Chautauqua County in rural New York, pine forests. These ancient trees and the less than 30 miles southeast of Lake rivers around them were Jamestown’s Erie. In addition to its proximity to the most valuable resources. Through Chautauqua Institution, home of the the mid-1800s, local creeks helped in late-1800s educational movement, exporting simple manufactured goods Jamestown has the distinctions of such as wooden pails, tubs, shingles, continued on page 2 Connecting Cultures and Community A Turner in Jamestown continued from front cover and scythe handles to outlying river towns. those of Swedish descent. While many were Note from Importing people and products remained small and short-lived, others such as the A. the Director challenging due to water currents leading C. Norquist Company (1881), Atlas Furniture away from Jamestown. Company (1882), and Carlson, Bloomquist “Through music we may wander where and Snow (1885) lasted well into the 1900s. The 1825 opening of the Erie Canal started we will in time, and find friends in every a new chapter in the town’s commercial century.” – Helen Thompson history. This vital link between the Hudson River and Lake Erie spurred development I never cease to be amazed at how many throughout New York State, opening musicians continue to be inspired by isolated villages to new markets and Jenny Lind, the Swedish Nightingale. Her labor. Jamestown capitalized on these influence in the 1850s is hard for us to connections by importing hardwoods understand today, and the elusiveness such as black walnut and white oak to of her voice, since it was never recorded, supplement its pine furniture industry. could be why musicians continue to Walnut and oak were ideal for cabinet- interpret her work. We are happy to host making, providing an attractive and durable Norquist Brothers, Jamestown, NY 1921. Courtesy of Zoe Vandermeer in July to bring Jenny Clarence Carlson. wood grain at an affordable price. With Lind’s soaring soprano voice to life again. these new imports came better exports, Like Jenny Lind’s voice , folk music expanding Jamestown’s markets to include has a life of its own and evolves, is cities as far away as St. Louis. re-interpreted, and sometimes even As much as the Erie Canal spurred takes on new lyrics over time. Something economic development, railroad about folk music cuts across cultural connections to New York City in 1860 boundaries and the dimension of time to speak to people. The band JAERV is a caused a surge in Jamestown’s population. master of bringing Swedish folk music to With the Great Western Railroad, settlers life like no one else I have heard. You have could now travel directly from New York a special opportunity to hear them play City to Jamestown, where they found at this year’s Midsommarfest. quick employment in its many furniture industries. The period after the Civil War Music is a natural complement to what was particularly lucrative for Jamestown we do as a museum—it helps bring alive craftsmen as they attempted to fill the eras, traditions and cultures in a way that market for furniture caused by wide-scale everyone enjoys. In the modern era we destruction in the American South. are spoiled by the instant availability of Baseball star Ted Williams poses with a giant bat music of every type (Thank you, Swedes Swedes and Danes were among the more made by Andersson Woodturning. Courtesy of the for Spotify!). It is hard for us to imagine successful immigrants in Jamestown. With Gardner Museum. a time when the only way to hear its temperate summers, cold winters, and music was through live performances expansive forests, Chautauqua County was Swedes were drawn to the furniture or making music yourself. But live similar to much of southern and central industry because, unlike other trades, it performances are still the best way to Sweden. Even if they did not ultimately was relatively inexpensive to begin a small experience music, so whether it is here settle in Jamestown, many Swedes simply furniture factory. With a national market— at ASHM or elsewhere on your travels including chairs sold to the U.S. Supreme this summer, I truly hope that you treat passed through this town on their journeys Court—furniture provided upward social yourself to the experience of music. west. Many of the Swedes who stayed in Jamestown were from rural areas and and commercial mobility for those who already skilled in woodcutting, carpentry, were successful. While Jamestown was and cabinetmaking. predominantly a Swedish town, Danes found success there too. Among the most socially- While Jamestown’s early Swedes were active citizens of historic Jamestown was Tracey Beck skilled artisans, many also became business Charles Ipson, born in Denmark in 1846 leaders. In the 50 years between the Civil and son of a famed inventor. After achieving War and World War One, Swedes founded at success in furniture, Ipson became heavily least 75 furniture companies in Jamestown. involved with Jamestown Board of Health By 1920, around 75% of all businesses in and schools. Jamestown had been founded by Swedes or 2 WinterSummer 2012-13 2019 | Vol. 38,30, No. 24 While the names of factory owners have survived, individual craftspeople Midsommarklubben at 40 Years: have typically vanished. The American How the first Midsummer celebration at ASHM started. Swedish Historical Museum has recently by Ingrid Cagan and Maj-Britt Lautman been donated a miniature cherry Photos by Ulla-Britt Apell furniture set and other turnings made by a Jamestown Swede named Oskar During the winter of 1979, we were a group Karl Alphonse Andersson, allowing the of 8 to 10 Swedish women in our 30’s, all museum to celebrate the craft and story of friends, most with small children, who Jamestown’s Swedish artisans. met at the Museum at the suggestion Oskar and three of his brothers immigrated of Claes Boethen, the Director at that to the United States in the early 1920s when time. We learned that Midsummer was Oskar was in his early forties. The large not being celebrated at the ASHM, so our Andersson family originated in Sweden, group organized the first Midsummer in but they had lived in Denmark for several June of 1979. Also, in recognition of that years prior to migrating to the United occasion, we decided to name our group States, where they continued the family Midsommarklubben. profession of wood turning. While the We were all a bit nervous about starting this heyday of Jamestown’s furniture industries new adventure, but we had a great team. was receding, turning was still a valued skill For the Midsummer celebration we baked in all woodworking trades as it was used to bullar, cakes (Tosca) and cookies, and create candlesticks, lamps, legs, spindles, served these along with coffee (of course), Through the years we have had a variety of pegs, balusters, and baseball bats. and homemade lemonade. In addition, we entertainers who have performed, including arranged games for children and a bargain Oskar’s brothers were especially the New York Folk Dancers and several table with items for sale. We all brought successful. His younger brother, Ernst, accordion and guitar players. Jenny Lind flowers and greenery for the midsummer founded a woodturning plant, Andersson Stipendiater and the Stockholm Boy’s Choir pole. Woodturning, in Gardner, MA in the 1940s. have sung. During recent years the Swedish Among other accomplishments, Ernst’s Since that time, Midsummer has been Meatballs from Brooklyn, New York, have plant turned baseball bats for the Boston celebrated annually in June at ASHM, provided the music. Red Sox. In celebration of “Gardner Day at organized by Midsommarklubben Since 1989, Midsommarklubben has also Fenwick Park” in 1946, Ernst even turned a volunteers, to bring together families and planned and executed Julbord, as part of giant bat from a telephone pole, which was friends for a joyous celebration. During the the Lucia celebration at ASHM in early photographed being held by baseball star initial years the midsummer pole was set up December. Midsommarklubben provides Ted Williams. This giant bat is on display at on the lawn directly in front of the museum, a wonderful selection of homemade the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, where we had music and dancing. As the traditional Swedish dishes.