1/8/25 - ASI (American Swedish Institute) holiday Tomte display
The American Swedish Institute is a vibrant arts and cultural organization that engages locally and connects globally. With a campus including the historic Turnblad Mansion and the Nelson Cultural Center, ASI uses its resources to be a valuable community asset and integral partner.
Swan and Christina Turnblad both immigrated to the United States from Sweden as children, in 1868 and 1876 respectively. During this period, nearly 54,000 Swedes left Sweden, and many of them settled in the Upper Midwest of the United States. The two married in 1883 and their only child Lillian was born in 1884 – a first generation American.
Swan emerged from modest means to become owner of the Svenska Amerikanska Posten, the largest Swedish-language newspaper in the U.S. Eventually, the family commissioned local architects to custom design the magnificent Turnblad Mansion as their residence on Park Avenue in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The building was to include a carriage house for Swan to park his Waverly Electric car. The mansion was donated to the ASI and now serves as the centerpiece for the multitude of Swedish artifacts housed in the museum.
This year's holiday display focused on the Tomte, or Tomte is a charming character from Swedish folklore who rules over the Swedish households with an iron thumb.
1/8/25 - ASI (American Swedish Institute) holiday Tomte display
The American Swedish Institute is a vibrant arts and cultural organization that engages locally and connects globally. With a campus including the historic Turnblad Mansion and the Nelson Cultural Center, ASI uses its resources to be a valuable community asset and integral partner.
Swan and Christina Turnblad both immigrated to the United States from Sweden as children, in 1868 and 1876 respectively. During this period, nearly 54,000 Swedes left Sweden, and many of them settled in the Upper Midwest of the United States. The two married in 1883 and their only child Lillian was born in 1884 – a first generation American.
Swan emerged from modest means to become owner of the Svenska Amerikanska Posten, the largest Swedish-language newspaper in the U.S. Eventually, the family commissioned local architects to custom design the magnificent Turnblad Mansion as their residence on Park Avenue in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The building was to include a carriage house for Swan to park his Waverly Electric car. The mansion was donated to the ASI and now serves as the centerpiece for the multitude of Swedish artifacts housed in the museum.
This year's holiday display focused on the Tomte, or Tomte is a charming character from Swedish folklore who rules over the Swedish households with an iron thumb.