Vol. 36, No. 2 Summer 2017

When The Swedes Saved

The Sesqui It was June 2, 1926. The Sesqui-Centennial Hope for the Sesqui appeared in the form International Exposition was only two days of its first royal guests: Crown Prince Gustaf (Sort of) old, and already in trouble. Philadelphia’s Adolf of Sweden (a.k.a. Gustavus Adolphus, second world’s fair had opened on May 31 in later King Gustaf VI Adolf), and his consort, By Thomas H. Keels the reclaimed marshlands of League Island Princess Louise Alexandra. Philadelphia Park, at the southern tip of the city. Poor was their third American stop, after New planning, political corruption, inadequate York and Washington, on a world tour to funding, and pandemic graft had collided to promote Swedish business interests. When create a half-baked affair totally unprepared the royal couple had landed in New York to receive visitors. The massive stanchions on May 27, reporters had been won over by of the gigantic Liberty Bell that straddled their willingness to pose for pictures and South Broad Street at Oregon Avenue were answer questions. Americans were still shrouded in scaffolding. The two main especially impressed by Gustaf Adolf, who exhibition halls were crowded with workmen at 44 retained a youthful athleticism and unpacking crates and assembling displays. exuberance. While Princess Louise was Nearly every other fair building was still somewhat high-strung, retiring frequently under construction. Many guests – to nurse nervous headaches, the press including 250,000 Shriners whose annual officially pronounced her charming. convention had been scheduled to coincide with the Sesqui opening – were muttering The Swedes arrived in Philadelphia on the that the fair was already a first-rate flop. afternoon on June 1. Their destination was Whitemarsh Hall, the magnificent 300-acre

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Connecting Cultures and Community When The Swedes Saved The Sesqui (Sort of) continued from front cover suburban estate of banker Edward T. The next morning, June 2, the Note from Stotesbury. Stotesbury, senior partner Stotesburys and the royal couple motored the Director of Drexel & Company, was reputed to be from Whitemarsh Hall through Fairmount Philadelphia’s wealthiest man. He and Park to Logan Circle. They were met by I suppose that as the Director of a his wife Lucretia (known as “Eva”) were in an honor guard of the First City Troop Swedish Museum, I should not admit charge of hospitality for the Sesqui’s most on horseback, who escorted them to that I have never particularly cared for distinguished guests. Whitemarsh Hall was Independence Hall. There, Mayor and aquavit. But then I met Christer Olsen a 147-room, six-floor mansion designed Mrs. Kendrick greeted the royal couple, of Arcus (maker of Aalborg and Linie by Horace Trumbauer in the Georgian and gave them a tour of the building and the aquavits) at the museum’s February style, surrounded by formal gardens Liberty Bell. The prince and princess then Skål event. After learning about and fountains. An aerial photograph of visited Old Swedes’ (Gloria Dei) in Queen aquavit’s long tradition in Sweden, Whitemarsh Hall taken on June 1 shows Village, the historic church founded by Norway and Denmark, hearing him a red carpet rolled down the front steps of Swedish settlers in the 17th century. describe how aquavit is made, and the mansion to welcome the royal party. discovering how to taste the various The royal party continued south to the notes of the different brands, I was Sesqui-Centennial, where the prince converted! What before had struck dedicated a replica of the Wicaco Block me as too strong, I now understand House, a log fort built around 1666 on the and appreciate in a new way. site of Old Swedes’ Church. He also laid the cornerstone for the John Morton Memorial Looking back on all that I have learned Building (now the ASHM). After a second and come to appreciate about Swedish dinner at Whitemarsh Hall that evening, culture over the last 11 years, it is the royal party was entertained at Joseph hard to imagine that almost all of the traditions, foods, artists and history E. Widener’s Lynnewood Hall in nearby that now hold a place in my heart and Elkins Park, where they were given a tour mind were new to me when I started of the magnificent Widener art collection. here. What an incredible journey of On June 3, Gustaf Adolf and Louise left discovery! All of us at ASHM are Philadelphia for a two-month tour of looking forward to sharing Swedish The prince and princess were installed in America. When they departed, they took and Scandinavian culture with our the Portico Suite, the largest and most along the aristocratic yet democratic air of new curator Trevor Brandt who will elegant guest suite at Whitemarsh Hall. grace that ennobled the Sesqui-Centennial begin working with us in June. That evening, the Stotesburys hosted a during their brief visit. The Sesqui would formal dinner for them. The guest list limp along until it closed on December 31, While we normally think of summer as included Mayor and Mrs. W. Freeland attracting fewer than five million paying a time to take physical journeys, why Kendrick, Senator and Mrs. George Wharton visitors and costing the city millions of not also embark on a learning journey Pepper, and forty others drawn from the dollars. Today, the American Swedish as you visit new places or perhaps catch city’s loftiest social circles. After dinner, Historical Museum remains as one of up on reading this summer? Share it two hundred guests joined the party in the few surviving links to this forgotten with us on Instagram or Facebook. the Ballroom for a musical evening world’s fair. We’d love to hear from you! featuring tenor Giovanni Martinelli of the Metropolitan Opera. THOMAS H. KEELS (www.thomaskeels.com) is the author of the recently published Sesqui! Greed, Graft, and the Forgotten World’s Fair of 1926. He wishes to thank Whitemarsh Hall historians Richard Billig and Edward Zwicker IV for sharing their research on the royal visit, Tracey Beck and the Springfield Township Historical Society for use of the photographs of Whitemarsh Hall.

THOMAS H. KEELS will be speaking about his book at the ASHM on June 14.

2 WinterSummer 2012-13 2017 | Vol. 36,30, No. 24 Meet ASHM’s New Curator, Trevor Brandt

Trevor Brandt is honored to join the staff This exhibit explores the long life of a Penn- of the American Swedish Historical sylvania loom and the survival of handweav- Museum as the Curator. Trevor earned his ing techniques into the twenty-first century. B.A. degrees in history and political science with minors in German and the Classics Trevor also worked as a curatorial intern from the Pennsylvania State University. at the Speaker’s House in Trappe, After graduating from Penn State, Trevor Pennsylvania, before accepting an pursued graduate studies with the invitation to join the museum’s board. Winterthur Program in American Material Trevor now serves as chair of the collections Culture and the University of Delaware. committee and oversees the museum’s At Winterthur, Trevor studied eighteenth archaeological, decorative arts, and nineteenth century immigrants and architectural, and archival materials. their material expressions of identity. These experiences have prepared Trevor Trevor’s focus on objects and identities to preserve and exhibit the array of Trevor has given talks on his work at a culminated in his M.A. thesis, which objects housed at the American Swedish symposium in Philadelphia and a board explores the creation and usage of primarily Historical Museum. With this background of trustees meeting at Winterthur, and he German-language religious prints. and his specialty in American looks forward to upcoming conference Preparation for this research led to Trevor’s immigration history, Trevor is eager to participation in Atlanta, Georgia. While enrollment in classes at the Moravian steward the museum’s collection while Trevor’s research has concentrated on Archives in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. promoting deeper appreciation for the these religious objects, he has also Here, he honed his foreign-language contributions of Swedes and those of undertaken professional development research abilities by learning to read Swedish descent to American history. through several internships. historic German scripts.

These experiences included co-curating a permanent exhibit within the Winterthur Museum’s Textile Galleries.

SmörgåsBeer on the Terrace

Mark your calendars now for the SmörgåsBeer party goers will have the American Swedish Historical Museum’s chance to play trivia and lawn games as annual SmörgåsBeer event on July 29! well as a traditional Swedish Tipsrunda Spend a gorgeousl summer evening at the or quiz walk through the museum. Museum in FDR Park enjoying local and What better way to pass a summer evening international beer while sampling traditional than tasting new beers, challenging friends Swedish food with a modern twist. This to unique games, and dancing the night year’s breweries include Agrilla Brewing away to the retro mix of DJ JCLEF. Amazing Company, Boxcar Brewing Co., Carlsberg, prizes for fun experiences will also be raffled Naked Brewing Company, St. Benjamin off throughout the evening. Brewing Company, Rekorderlig Cider, and new this year, Liquid Alchemy mead SmörgåsBeer will be held Saturday, July and cider. Be sure to check back on the 29th from 5-9pm. General tickets are Museum’s event page as we continue to $30 in advance, and $35 at the door. The event is still accepting sponsorships add more breweries. Special designated driver price of $10 is from the business community. If you are also available. General admission includes interested in reaching the Philadelphia a commemorative event sampling glass. and surrounding area please contact Pre-register by phone or online. Lauren Burnham at 215-389-1776 or [email protected]

Connecting Cultures and Community 3 To Register For Events call 215-389-1776, or visit online at Upcoming Events and Registration Info www.americanswedish.org/calendar.htm

There is always something going on at the Skål! Scandinavian Sprits SmörgåsBeer American Swedish Historical Museum. See Guided Exhibit Tours Saturday, July 29 below for scheduled events. Please check 1:00 pm - 2:00pm 5:00 pm - 9:00 pm Sunday, June 18 Spend a summer evening with the Museum to confirm dates and Sunday, July 9 sampling local Philly and In- other details. Refunds will not be granted Saturday, August 12 ternational lagers, ales, stouts, for cancellations after the registration Saturday, September 9 and more paired alongside a spread of savories like Swedish meatballs, cheeses, and sausages. deadline. To register for events by phone Whether you are new to Scandinavian spirits SmörgåsBeer’d will be held Saturday July 29 call (215) 389-1776. Online registration is or an aficionado, join us for an exclusive from 5-9pm. Tickets are $30 in advance, $35 at available through links in the Museum’s guided tour of the Skål! Scandinavian Spirits the door, with a special designated driver price exhibition. Each tour will explore the history email announcements or on the of $10. Register online or by phone. of Scandinavian spirits and the role those Events Calendar page of our website, beverages play in the heritage of Crayfish Party americanswedish.org/calendar.htm. Scandinavian America. Learn how to properly Friday, August 18 Skål, or cheers, at the end of the tour with 6:30pm MONTHLY PROGRAM: an Aquavit tasting and food pairing. Get a taste of Swedish summer Toddler Time Pre-registration required and tour spots are at our annual Crayfish Party! 10:30 am - 11:30 am limited. $8 members and $18 non-members Enjoy a buffet of crayfish or The third Tuesday of each (must be 21 or over to attend tasting). month ASHM offers specially Swedish meatballs, along with crisp bread, designed programs to cheese, potatoes, cheese pie, and glass of National Day introduce Swedish culture through art, akvavit all outside under our beautiful lighted Tuesday, June 6 science, and literature in fun and creative and decorated tent. $50 for ASHM and SACC 12:00 pm - 4:00 pm ways to children ages 18 months to 4 years Philadelphia members, $60 for non-members. What better place to old. The cost is $5 per child or free for Register by phone or online by August 14th. celebrate Swedish National museum Household Members. There is Day than the American Antique Appraisal Day no charge for accompanying caregivers. Swedish Historical Museum! Enjoy free Sunday, August 6 Optional pre-registration by phone or online. admission including guided tours at 12pm and 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm Saturday, June 10 2pm highlighting the history of the museum, If you have ever wondered about the history The Shapes Around Us and a special Swedish summer dessert treat. or value of a family antique bring it to ASHM Tuesday, July 18 on August 6th for our fundraising Antique Row Your Boat Lecture, Sesqui! Greed, Graft, and the Appraisal Day with expert general appraiser Forgotten World’s Fair of 1926 and broker Robert Borgstrom. Appraisals will Tuesday, August 15 Wednesday, June 14, be given on a first come first serve basis and Swedish Food Traditions 6:00 pm includes up to three items for $20. Each person The Sesqui-Centennial International with items will be given a number upon arrival. Exposition of 1926, held in South Philadelphia, Guests may sit in the audience while each was meant to be the greatest world’s fair since number is called and appraisals given live on the 1876 Centennial. Thanks to political stage. Doors open at 12pm and appraisals start corruption, greed, egotism, and the wettest at 1pm. For more information call 215-389-1776 summer on record, it became a crumbling, or email [email protected]. sodden, bankrupt mess, Philadelphia’s “forgotten fair.” Join the Friends of FDR Park Annual Meeting for this engaging talk by author Thomas Keels. Sunday, September 10 3:00 pm Midsommarfest ASHM members are welcome to join us for Saturday, June 24 our annual meeting, where we the Amandus 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm Johnson Volunteer Service Award will also be Celebrate summer at our presented. This is also a great chance to see the annual Midsommarfest, Skål Scandinavian Spirits exhibition before it complete with food, drinks, closes on the 17th. home-made Swedish pastries, maypole dancing, as well as games for the kids. Don’t miss this year’s musical performance by the Swedish Meatballs! Non-members $12, Members $8, Children 4-12 $6. Pay at the door.

4 Summer 2017 | Vol. 36, No. 2

t During Toddler Time Images from in February, children got to walk in the tracks Recent Events of moose around the Photographs by ASHM Staff Museum galleries, and then create their own animal tracks and moose puppets!

u Waffle day on March 25th called for delicious Swedish waffles, with lots of strawberry jam and whipped cream! Yum! u In the beginning of April we celebrated Easter a little early with our Swedish themed Easter Family pChildren got to reinforce their knowledge of the five senses through interactive Fun Day & Egg Hunt. stories and music movement during our ‘Five Senses’ themed Toddler Time in March.

u In early February we spent a Saturday morning eating delicious semlor followed by a film.

t During April’s Toddler Time themed “Wool Gathering – From Sheep to Sweater”, we welcomed our human and wooly friends from What-Knott Farm to the Museum.

pWe had a fantastic time at our annual fundraiser Spring Ting in early May!

t At this year’s Viking Day, we got to learn all about Viking fighting tech- q Our volunteer Skål Aquavit Ambassadors, who lead tours of the exhibit, niques during East Coast received a special training and tasting with Christer Olsen from Arcus at our Combative Arts’ historic February exhibit opening, and are pictured here with Rasmus Thogersen, weapons demonstration. Executive Director of the Museum of Danish America.

Connecting Cultures and Community 5 Contributions to the Collection

As a nonprofit organization, the American In Memoriam Swedish Historical Museum relies on the The ASHM lost a very special member generosity of its friends and supporters recently. We send our deepest to meet the costs providing programs and condolences to his friends and family. services, year-round, to thousands of local, national, and international visitors. Fred Pfaff Thank you for your contributions! Annual Giving Contribution to the Collection and Contributions Margaretha Talerman donated her Swedish February 1 through April 30, 2017 provincial costume to the museum, made by Serafimer her aunt as a school project in Stockholm in Margaretha Talerman 1936 or 1937. This beautifully-sewn costume Thanks for your support! is now on display in the Common Thread Vasa gallery. Kristina and John Antoniades What a wonderful evening it was! Spring Kristina and John O’Doherty Swedish Colonial Society Ting was an extra special event this year New Members thanks to our honoree Robert Engman and February 1 through April 30, 2017 Gold guests who joined us from the Swedish William & Tracey Beck Council of America. We would especially like Life Members Ragnhild & Bo Bergqvist to thank our event sponsors: Jan & Lillemore Essunger Roy & Donna Johnson Britta A. Mattson Earl & Sylvia Seppala Sponsors Sandra & Fred Pfaff Alfa Laval, Inc. Fanny Warren Household Kreischer Miller Burt & Donna Duren Philadelphia Energy Solutions Silver Anne Flink Biddle & Company Roberta Petusky Angie & Pasquale Gallelli Margaret Copeland Geoff & Yegi Hillman Abby Shaw Sylvia Davenport Greta & William Hodgson Alice Wood John & Carin Foster Kirsten M. Jensen Roy & Donna Johnson Carolyn LeComte & Jon Hopely Bronze Kristina & John O’Doherty Anthony LoCicero Jens & Allison Clausen Margaretha Talerman Mary Ann Lykens-Janke & Ronald Janke Ken & Kerstin Cook Helena Mansson & Mikael Nyberg Mary Corrigan Patrons Hillary & Jamie McAndrews Rik Edstrom and Lea Knapik-Edstrom Bo & Ragnhild Bergqvist Aibing Ouyang & Happy Liu ExxonMobil Foundation Leonard Busby & Ruth Lindeborg Ritosalmi-Kisner Family Joseph M. O’Donnell Michael and Jill D’Andrea Sion Shou Earl & Sylvia Seppala Karen Stensgaard Richard & Laura Denes Sam Heed Andrea & Dan Stone Friend Gene & Mary McCoy Linnea Tideman & Family Alice Christensen Mr. & Mrs. Alfred Pfaff Bertil Wagner Community Explorers Day Services, Inc. Popp’s Water Ice Raymond Williams Mr. & Mrs. Evald R. Eskilson Virginia Swedberg Barbara E. Good Kim Eric Williams & Ruth Marie Nelson Rizzi Individual Marlin R. Mattson, M.D. Alicia McDonald Birgitta Wilson Ellen T. Rye Pamela Rasmussen Rich & Andrea Zak Birgitta Wilson Ellen Spampinato

Carl Fredrik Stensson Friends Jacqueline Axilbund Seniors/Students Do you want to make a Lila McCleary Karen Hoepfinger contribution? Mary Anne Powell Joseph Jeantet Hope Rosenlund There are several easy ways to support Shirley Stengel us. Visit our web page americanswed- Elaine Tannenbaum ish.org/support or call 215-389-1776 Fanny Warren for more information.

6 WinterSummer 2012-13 2017 | Vol. 36,30, No. 24

Membership Please print all information as you wish it Application & Renewal Form to appear on the membership roster. Return this form to: Name(s) American Swedish Historical Museum Address Attn: Membership 1900 Pattison Avenue City State Zip Philadelphia, PA 19145-5901 Telephone Email Among the benefits of membership are: • free admission to the Museum and library o $35: Senior/Student o $75: Organizational (Non-profit only) o $500: Patron • use of the ASHM Swedish Film Library o $50: Individual o $125: Friend o $1,000: Key Contributor borrowing system o $65: Household o $250: Sustaining o $2,500: Life • guest passes Make check payable to ASHM or o Charge my: VISA | MasterCard | Discover • subscription to the newsletter • 10% discount in the Museum Store Account # • discounts on admission to most events, workshops and Swedish language classes Exp Date

For more information, The official registration and financial information of ASHM my be obtained from the Pennsylvania Department please call 215-389-1776. of State by calling toll-free, within Pennsylvania, 1-800-732-0999. Registration does not imply endorsement.

Your membership contribution to the American Swedish Historical Museum is tax deductible to the extent allowed by law.

! Please detach here and return. Won’t You Join Us? Volunteer with ASHM’s Auxiliary and Midsommarklubben

The Museum is lucky to have to dedicated The Auxiliary is the Museum’s longest Midsommarklubben is a group for groups of volunteers, the Auxiliary and standing volunteer group, open to everyone Swedish speakers and has annual dues of Midsommarklubben. Both groups have been and has annual dues of $10. They primarily $20. If you want to practice your Swedish around for decades and are at the heart of raise funds for the Museum through the or meet some new Swedes, they are eager planning some of our major, Lucia event each December, as well as to have you join them! Originally founded annual events. It is easy to join and be a Semlor and a Movie, along with other events in the late 1970s to plan Midsommarfest, part of either or both if you are interested throughout the year. They meet once a the group is primarily responsible for the in volunteering! month on Thursdays at the Museum. Museum’s Midsommar celebration, as well as our Julbord dinner. They meet once a month on Mondays at the Museum, September through June.

If you are interested in either group, call us for more info or email [email protected] to get connected.

Connecting Cultures and Community 7 NONPROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE PAID 1900 Pattison Ave. Philadelphia, PA Philadelphia, PA 19145 215.389.1776 Permit No. 1350 www.americanswedish.org

americanswedish @americanswedish

Connecting Cultures and Community

Kids Can Make a Difference!

In order to reach a wider family audience The program includes an interactive the American Swedish Historical Museum introduction to the topic, hands-on creates a new summer library outreach activities such as building model-sized program each year, which fits the national energy efficient homes, making pinwheels Collaborative Summer Reading theme. to demonstrate renewable energy, and The 2017 reading theme chosen by the creative opportunities to brainstorm how libraries is Build a Better World and ASHM kids can build a better world! is ready to teach kids how Sweden is leading the way! Did you know that more As always, we hope to bring the program than 99% of Sweden’s waste is recycled to as many libraries and community or reused as a source of power? In the centers as possible. The program can travel summer outreach program, children will throughout Pennsylvania, Delaware, learn about sustainable energy and New Jersey, and Maryland so if you are environmentally conscious architecture. interested in having Kids Can Make a Difference: Building a Better Tomorrow at your library this summer, be sure to pass on the museum’s information to your local librarian!

t Oh the places we go! Our summer library program will be traveling throughout the tri-state region. Check it out if we will be at your local library!

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