Vasa Archives

Spring Fling (April 1-3) Come welcome spring and the beginning of the tourist season in Bishop Hill as various stores, museums and restaurants offer special discounts, events, and activities. Collect signatures from 6 businesses or museums and be entered for a gift basket drawing at the Colony Store. Call 309-927-3898 or email VasaArchivist@gmail.com for more information.

Exhibit Opening (April 1-3, 10-4) Join the Vasa National Archives and Museum as we open our doors for the 2022 season with an Opening Reception for an exhibit looking at where some of the Vasa Lodges get their names. Many lodges honor famous or influential Swedes by naming the lodge after these people. Call 309-927-3898 or email VasaArchivist@gmail.com for more information.

Hobby Horse Make and Take (April 1-3) Stop by the Vasa National Archives to make a hobby horse for a $5 donation. A plain horse will be provided along with ribbons and decorations so you can make it your own. The side yard will be set up for hobby horse races and obstacle course so you can test out your new horse. Hobby horses and the race/obstacle course will be moved to the basement in case of rain. Call 309-927-3898 or email VasaArchivist@gmail.com for more information.

Valborg and Wiener Roast (April 22, 6 pm) Experience an ancient Swedish traditional bonfire as we welcome spring’s return at the Vasa National Archives. Yard games, activities, hotdogs, hot coffee and cocoa will be available. This event is free and open to the public. Call 309-927-3898 or email VasaArchivist@gmail.com for more information.

Midsummer Respite (June 25, 10 – 4, during Midsummer) If you get too hot or dry while exploring Bishop Hill during this summer celebration, the Vasa National Archives invites you to take a break and enjoy fika with us. Fika is a Swedish custom of offering visitors a drink and a snack. To help pass the time while you cool off, we have a make-and-take clay sculpture station for you. Call 309-927-3898 or email VasaArchivist@gmail.com for more information.

Butter Making (Sept. 24-25, 10 – 5, during Jordbruksdagarna) Bishop Hill colonists, like many Swedes, were excellent butter and cheese makers. Stop by our booth in the Demonstration area to learn about butter making and make your own butter to take home. Call 309-927-3898 or email VasaArchivist@gmail.com for more information.

Bargain Hunter Weekend (Oct. 14-16) Come celebrate the bounty of fall in Bishop Hill as various stores, museums and restaurants offer special discounts, events, and activities. Collect signatures from 6 businesses or museums and be entered for a gift basket drawing at the Colony Store. Call 309-927-3898 or email VasaArchivist@gmail.com for more information.

Make and Take Dala Horses (Nov. 25- Dec 11, 10 - 4, while supplies last) During the holiday weekends, paint stations will be set up in the Vasa National Archive for painters to decorate their own wooden Dala Horse. Participants are welcome to leave their Dala horses at the archive to dry while shopping in Bishop Hill. Paint, brushes, and smocks provided. During the week, the paint stations will not be available, but you can take Dala Horse kits home to paint. Each kit includes 3 colors of paint, 2 brushes, and a Dala Horse. The Dala Horses are available for a $5 donation per horse whether you paint here or at home. Painters can call or email to reserve horses to ensure supply. Call 309-927-3898 or email VasaArchivist@gmail.com for more information.

Closing Reception (Dec. 9-10, 6-9 pm, during Lucia Nights) Come say goodbye to the Vasa exhibit on Early Christianity in Sweden. This is also a final celebration of the 2022 season. Coffee and cookies may be available to visitors at the Vasa National Archives for the closing reception.  Call 309-927-3898 or email VasaArchivist@gmail.com for more information.