The Swedish American Museum Center offers insight to one of Chicago's most historic neighborhoods.
Chicago is a cultural melting pot visible by the number of ethnic museums built here. The Swedish American Museum Center located in historic Andersonville is among them. Now in its new home on north Clark Street in this traditionally Swedish city enclave, the museum offers everything from art exhibits to musical performances, lectures, children's events as well as all other things Swedish. Permanent exhibits include details of Swedish immigration, lifestyle and overall culture.
The museum has become the heart of this thriving neighborhood brimming with restaurants, shops and theaters. Named Andersonville after World War II, the region had been hugely Swedish following the Great Chicago Fire. Once made up of cherry orchards and farms, the land was soon developed and sprouted homes and businesses such as delis, hardware stores and bakeries. While other cultures later moved into Andersonville, local residents strove to keep elements of its past intact.
Today Andersonville is one of the largest civic areas of Swedish culture in the U.S. The museum plays a major role in preserving that history. The three story museum also houses a Children's Museum of Immigration, a museum store, Swedish library and meeting and workshop areas.
This is a museum that should be on your visiting list if only to learn more about the evolution of this energetic Chicago neighborhood. If you're planning a day in Andersonville, begin at the museum and check its website for neighborhood festivals and programs. Annual Solstice celebrations, a large farmer's market and other street fairs abound throughout the summer and fall.
- by Lori Rotenberk , Chicago Reporter for HelloMetro
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