The Vasa National Archives has just completed installation of a new exhibit looking at Swedish and Swedish-American arts and crafts. While going through our collections to find appropriate items for display, we found some surprising pieces exhibiting traditional Swedish elements among the collection. Most traditional Swedish images show Biblical stories depicted with modern settings and clothing. Kurbits and rosmålning fill empty spaces and border the main image. One surprise piece called “Three Wise Men” by O.W. shows the three wise men following the Star to Bethelem. O.W. dyed the cloth to show the image. The wise men ride horses with small heads keeping with traditional Nordic style. Nors
Vasa National Archives Welcomes New Exhibit Swedish and Swedish-American arts and crafts will be featured in a new exhibit opening at the Vasa National Archives in Bishop Hill on April 1. The exhibit opening will be from 10 – 6 and will have light refreshments available throughout the day. The Vasa National Archives is located at 109 S. Bishop Hill St. The exhibit showcases a variety of Swedish arts and crafts from wood working to textile arts and painting to glass making. Items on display come from Sweden and across the US showing a wide variety of art. Local artists, Ted Myhre and Erick Lindberg have pieces in the exhibit. A couple of quilts from Bishop Hill’s Colony era are on loan for
Greetings from the Vasa National Archives, Our winter season has ended and the 2017 tourist season has just begun. The archives began the season by opening a new exhibit and offering refreshments to visitors. What a great way to start another successful year with plenty of activities for visitors. This winter the archives researched and installed a new exhibit looking at Swedish and Swedish-American arts and crafts. The new exhibit includes many favorite pieces returned to display after a year of storage and conservation. The new exhibit also allow us to show off pieces that have been tucked away in storage for years. This exhibit will be up for two years. Game Nights has been a success and
Dear Vasa Brothers and Sisters, Vasa Star Article April, 2017 Margaret Mead once said, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed, citizens can change the world…”. In most of our local lodges small groups of committed members make the difference whether their lodge or district exists and ultimately whether the Vasa Order exists. The same is true for the Vasa National Archives. Motivated, committed VNA Board members, our staff, a small group of Vasa members and others in Bishop Hill and donors continue to safeguard the future for the VNA. As Vasa members we can enjoy the feeling of making a difference in the history of the Order by envi
Dear Vasa Brothers and Sisters, Vasa Star Article January, 2017 Thank you for your generous contributions to this year’s successful Julgran Fundraiser. A candlelight reception in celebration of the fundraiser was held at the Archives Friday evening December 2. The reception was also an opportunity to thank those in Bishop Hill who have helped support the Archives and our Archivist, Kathy Cuff during the previous year. Representatives from other local historical associations and business owners were invited along with Vasa members who have graciously volunteered for special projects, festivals and projects. Several Board members of the Archives hosted the event. The Julgr
Welcome back from the Holidays. Our community paper mache Dala horse went well with 141 children and adults participating. We received lots of positive feedback and will be making a tomte next year. We ended the visitor season with Lucia Night. Local storyteller, Brian “Fox” Ellis, drew in 115 people during the 2-day event. What a wonderful way to end the year! The Vasa Archives is enjoying a break at the moment. While we are closed for the season, we will gladly open the archive for visitors and take research requests. We are spending the time researching for a new exhibit on Swedish and Swedish-American art. If there is a special piece you want included, please let us know. The new exhibi
Dear Vasa Brothers and Sisters, Thank you for your generous contributions to our successful Julgran Fundraiser. A candlelight reception in celebration of the fundraiser was held on Dec. 2. The reception, hosted by several Archives Board members, was also an opportunity to thank those in Bishop Hill who have helped support the Archives and our archivist, Kathy Cuff, during the previous year. Representatives from other historical associations and business owners were invited along with Vasa members who have graciously volunteered for special projects, festivals and projects. The Julgran, decorated with the bulbs you donated, was on display at the Archives. Bishop Hill was decorated beautifully
Greetings fellow Vasa members, As you read in a past article from our archivist, the Archives has a new website, vasaarchives.org. We have created this new site to give the archivist a convenient way to communicate with all of you. Please take time to access it and learn what is available to those who visit the Archives, Bishop Hill and Henry County. It gives you an electronic way to enjoy current events and displays should you be unable to physically visit. Our membership told us for many years that it wants virtual access to the Archives and this new web presence makes that happen. If there is something you are interested in seeing via our new web presence please contact the archivist at h
The Vasa National Archive will be ending the 2016 tourist season with a closing reception of their 19th Century Sweden Exhibit on Dec. 9 – 10 from 6 – 9 pm. The Vasa National Archives, located at 109 S. Bishop Hill St. in Bishop Hill, IL, will provide hot drinks and refreshments during the Closing Reception. Brian “Fox” Ellis will be telling traditional Swedish and Pioneer Christmas stories during both nights at 6:30 and 7:30. The 19th Century Sweden Exhibit briefly discusses conditions in Sweden surrounding the first four waves of immigration from Sweden, which began in the mid-1840s. The exhibit looks at changes in business and industry, changes within the church, new agricultural practic
