New Exhibit for 2018

The Vasa National Archives will debut a new exhibit on the Vasa Order during WWI and WWII on April 4. The new exhibit will feature rarely seen collection pieces, excerpts from lodges in the US and Canada, and info on Sweden and Canada during each World War. The Grand Opening for the exhibit will be April 7 from 10 – 5 and will have light refreshments available throughout the day. This exhibit will up for 2 years. The Vasa National Archives is located at 109 S. Bishop Hill St.

The exhibit opening coincides with the beginning of the 2018 tourist season including the Heritage Association’s Toy Tractor Weekend, the Colony Store will offer a children’s craft station (April 7), Entwined’s Spring Fashion Show at P.L. Johnson’s (April 7, 11:30-1). Local restaurants, shops, historic sites, and galleries will be open and offering activities for visitors of all ages. For information about other Bishop Hill and events contact 309-927-3899 or visit www.bishophill.com

For its final year, the Swedish and Swedish-American arts and crafts exhibit will also be on display. 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 artistic styles and mediums. Local artists, Ted Myhre and Erick Lindberg have pieces in the exhibit. A couple of quilts from Bishop Hill’s post-colonial era are on loan for this exhibit. Visitors are invited to vote on what exhibit should replace the arts and craft exhibit next year.

The Vasa Order of America is a Swedish fraternal organization that began in 1896. Originally offering Sick, Old Age, and Funeral Benefits, the Vasa Order now focuses on keeping Scandinavian traditions alive in America and Canada by celebrating Nordic and Scandinavian history, culture, and other topics. The Vasa Order is open to anyone at least 14 years old and of Nordic ancestry or interested in Swedish and/or Nordic heritage and culture. For information about the Vasa National Archives or the Vasa Order contact us at 309-927-3898 or VasaArchivist@gmail.com.