Swenson Center Exhibits

Sewing the Way to Independence

Anna Persson Cave is an incredible female power story—immigrating to the U.S. alone, traveling solo, raising two children with little financial support.

Swedes and Americans in World War II

Letters from a Swedish-American stationed in Italy, documents from American internees in Sweden, and news bulletins from The American-Swedish News Exchange.

Swedish Royal Visits to Augustana College

Augustana College & the Quad Cities have received royal Swedish visitors throughout the years in honor of its historic and contemporary ties with Sweden.

In Union there is Strength: Swedish-American Sculptor Charles Haag

Haag is best known for his sculptures that express the struggle of labor and immigration and whimsical woodcarvings that pay homage to nature.

Swedish Arts in North America

Scandinavian immigration transformed the culture of America, bringing new ideas and ways of life. One prime example of this influence being the multiple forms of art that still persist today.

Swedish Immigration to North America

Permanent exhibit featuring a timeline, settlements map, and thematic panels with images from the archival collections.

Elsie Ahlwén Sundeen: The Singing Evangelist

Sundeen was a Swedish-American evangelist, musician, and composer who traveled widely preaching and singing to various churches and groups.

All the World's a Fair: Swedes at the World's Columbian Exposition, 1893

Sweden was represented through a pavilion, exhibitions, and a Sweden’s Day with parade, concerts, and speeches.

Scandihoovian! Scandinavian-American Folk Humor

Scandinavian-American humor includes ridiculing other Scandinavians, making fun of food choices (Jell-O, “hot dishes”), language troubles, and Lutheranism.

Flying Fool: Charles Lindbergh's Story

Charles Lindbergh, a Swedish-American, became a household name when he was the first person to complete a successful, solo, non-stop transatlantic flight from New York to Paris.

Called to Heal: The Work of Swedish Immigrant Nurses

Single Swedish women immigrants sought employment that would offer them better pay and more independence than the homeland, including work as nurses.

Swedes in American Politics: The John Ericsson Republican League

The John Ericsson Republican League of Illinois was organized in 1894 to exert a Scandinavian-American influence on American politics.

United in Song: Forming a Swedish-American Identity through Choral Clubs and Singing Societies

Music served to strengthen social bonds and express group sentiment.

The Life and Legacy of T.N. Hasselquist: Augustana's Second President

Hasselquist was a Swedish immigrant, editor of the newspaper Hemlandet, Pietist, and advocate for the separation of Church and State.

Swedes and the Civil War in America

Swedish immigrants played a role in the American Civil War—from helping elect Lincoln to fighting on the battlefield.

The Lost Art of Letter Writing

Letters written to family back in Sweden, so-called “America letters,” were sometimes printed in local newspapers and spurred more people to immigrate to the United States.

Crossing the Atlantic: The Ships and Trips of Swedish Immigrants

The Swedish American Line is associated with Swedish emigration, transatlantic tourism, and—later—luxury cruises.

Åsa Bengtsson Tapestry Studies

This permanent exhibit includes four watercolor studies for tapestries by Åsa Bengtsson documenting the historical & emotional ties between Sweden & America.

Student Life at Upsala College

Upsala College was a Swedish-American college that existed from 1893 to its closing in 1995. This exhibit contains photographs and artifacts related to the college’s student groups.

Early Education for Swedish Immigrant Children

How did education affect an immigrants’ assimilation and understanding of their ethnic heritage?

The Swenson Center has created digital versions of the exhibits in its reading room since 2012. Exhibits explore a variety of topics related to Swedish-American history and relations inspired by the Center's library and archival collections.