Founded in 1926, the American Swedish Historical Museum in South Philadelphia is the oldest Swedish museum in the United States. The museum opened to the public in 1928 and work to finish the interiors and galleries continued slowly throughout the Great Depression. The museum’s grand opening in 1938 celebrated the 300th anniversary of the founding of the New Sweden Colony. The ASHM won Best Museum in Metro Philadelphia's Philly Best contest in 2024 and 2021.
A Century in the Making: 100 Years of ASHM
Learn how the American Swedish Historical Museum has evolved over the past 100 years with a dynamic blend of past and present through rarely seen artifacts, captivating photographs, and personal stories. This once-in-a-century exhibit looks to the past, honors the present, and invites visitors to imagine ASHM's next 100 years. This exhibit will take place throughout all the Museum galleries and the around the Museum's balcony space.
From Taste to Tech: 100 Years of Nordic Innovation & Impact
From Taste to Tech explores the ways in which Nordic craftspeople, artists, chefs, and thinkers brought their values and visions to American soil. Featuring a remarkable collection of artifacts including World War II uniforms, original art by Gustaf Tenggren, and mid-century modern furniture.
For about an hour, Brett will be guiding us through these two exhibits, covering the whole museum.
Our FitC event planner Darlene, who is a member and of Swedish descent, encourages you to bring a bag lunch and join her for an informal gathering in the basement event room after the tour, to socialize together. Bring something to share if you want.
Event Cost: $19 ($18 for tickets and $1 for FitC processing). This includes the senior museum admission fee and the cost of the tour. To cancel, contact Linda Pizzi (lindapizzi55@gmail.com) for refunds (less $2 FitC service charge); no refunds after June 16, 2026.
Event Limit: 15 FitC Members
Directions:
Coming by car. From Center City, take Broad Street South to Pattison Avenue. Turn right onto Pattison Avenue. At the next light (20th Street) turn left into FDR Park. Once in the park, take the first left.
Coming by Public Transportation. Broad Street Subway to the NRG/Pattison Ave. station, walk five blocks. Station. Or the #17 bus stops one block from the Museum building at 20th Street and Pattison Avenue. Check SEPTA’s website to obtain route and schedule information.
Parking and Accessibility:
The museum has its own parking in the front of the museum (the south side facing south towards FDR park). This entrance has about a dozen steps.
The accessibility entrance is at the back entrance gate on Pattison Avenue. For those with a handicapped permit, there are two disability parking spots in the little pocket on Pattison Ave at the museum's rear entrance. Please ring the doorbell at the back entrance for admittance.
The for those who want to avoid stairs, drop-off/pick-up zone for taxi and rideshare (Uber & Lyft) is at the back entrance gate on Pattison Avenue. A large yellow banner marks the back entrance, in the middle of the block. There is an elevator to access the several floors of the museum. Note that the back entrance is also the recommended entrance for folks taking the SEPTA 17 bus. Please ring the doorbell at the back entrance for admittance.
For event questions or clarifications, contact Darlene Olsen at 202-550-5128 (prefer text) or email olsen.darlene@gmail.com.
Questions on registration: Amy Goldman, amy.sue.goldman219@gmail.com
Please let us know if you can't make it.
