Day 11: Having My Cake and Eating It Too

Last Thursday, I accompanied my co-intern Kate to the Swedish Bakery to conduct an interview. Kate had scheduled an appointment at 12 PM with the owner, Marlies Stanton. We were escorted to the kitchen by her daughter, Kathy, who was very helpful and hospitable. The museum leant us an iPad with a recording device that could easily transfer our interview to a computer. Since Kate is working on the oral history project, her questions are more about Marlies's life and her experiences in Andersonville. Marlies had worked for the previous owner, Gosta Bjuhr, from 1971 to 1979. When he retired, she took over and slowly recruited her family members, officially making the Swedish Bakery a family business.

They expanded the bakery greatly, tripling its size and increasing its staff. Although Marlies is German, she has upheld many of the traditional Swedish pastries, namely Princess Cake and Swedish Fruit Cake. In addition, the Swedish Bakery has coffee cake, breads, spritzes, and dommars. I was fortunate that Marlies and her employees have lived in the Andersonville area for many years, and were able to recall many of the establishments that are now gone. They were able to assist each other in identifying and confirming past businesses. What interested me most about the interview was a particular cigar shop that everybody remembered, but no one could remember what it was called or who the owners were, despite associating with them for many years.

Yum!

As part of the oral history project, Kate will transcribe our interview, which will allow me to map out the places they recounted. Fortunately, they recalled the places by remembering which order they were in. It was a pleasure meeting with the owners of the Swedish Bakery, a business that maintains a family atmosphere and excellent quality desserts. On our way out, Kathy was kind enough to give us "goody-bags" as a memento of our visit.

Day 10: Talking Shop

Today, I worked in a part of the museum that many can't resist drifting into: the gift shop. I was surrounded by an assortment of interesting items that ranged from novelties to children's books to kitchenware. Working in the gift shop also allows you to interact with patrons in a different way from the rest of the museum. Usually, they are buying souvenirs; however, the rarity of these items draws many local residents regularly. One customer bought a large number of Läkerol, a Swedish brand of licorice candies, to take to her mother in California. "They help sooth her more than any cough drops or syrup. You can't find these anywhere." 
Many of the products attested to the practical and simplistic beauty of Scandinavian art. A bobèche is a glass ring at the end of a candle that is used to catch the wax as it falls. My personal favorite product, however, is the Gastromax potato and vegetable slicer, proudly made in Sweden.

These products were interesting, and certainly different, but the store was not short on fascinating history-related items. Take the runes pendants, for example. According to the card that accompanied them, the Nordic tribes of northern Europe conceived of these symbols in 200 B.C. to represent the forces of nature. Picking the right rune enabled the wearer to harness the power that the rune represented. The rune in the picture is feoh, the rune of success. This is to be used if something you desire is within your grasp.

Also on display are products boasting the talent of artist Carl Larsson, a renowned Swedish painter from the Arts and Crafts Movement in the late nineteenth century to the early twentieth century. The Arts and Crafts Movement emphasized simplistic art, calling back to pre-industrial days. One of Larsson's most famous pieces is "Breakfast Under the Birch Tree (1886)," which includes charming, natural details, such as the two wine bottles under the tree and the initials carved into it.


   

Day 9: The Sami

The new art exhibit at the Swedish American Museum is about the Sami, a peaceful indigenous people from northern Scandinavia. The artist is Danish-American photographer Birgitte Aarestrup, who spent a significant amount of time in Sapmi, the Sami region which spans across northern Norway, Sweden, Finland, and parts of Russia. In addition to the photographs, Sami artifacts and handiwork, known as duodji, were on display. I had the privilege of assisting before the opening, both with the art and the Sami artifacts. The descriptions were already printed, I only had to pair them with their object.

The artifact I found most fascinating was a needle case made out of reindeer horn. Needles are apparently very useful in Sami life, so much so that the case hangs from a person's belt. One of the leather pouches had a flap that held needles as well. 

For the photographs, a fellow intern and I measured and numbered them, then used a key to determine their prices. That way the patron only needs to say the number he or she wishes to enquire its price or purchase the piece. We had to be a bit resourceful when describing them, for the artist gave us no information as to their titles. We went through the photo book with her pieces in it and recorded the captions under the photos. 

Day 8: Church History Part II

Another Christian sect Swedish-Americans found interest in were Baptist Churches. There are two Swedish Baptist churches that were established in Chicago whose buildings exist today: Edgewater Swedish Baptist Church and First Swedish Baptist Church. As is the case with many Swedish churches in Chicago, the parishioners of Swedish descent moved out to the suburbs. These churches also started conducting their services in English to accommodate for the diversity of their new members. Edgewater Baptist dropped "Swedish" from their name in 1940, and have Spanish and Korean congregations. As I was taking a picture of the First Swedish Baptist Church, a member of the congregation approached me and gave me some background on the church that I couldn't find in my research. The First Swedish Baptist Church was established in 1854, but this church was built in 1911. At some point, the First Swedish Baptist Church became Wrigleyville Worship Center, then Christ's Church. Today, the building is owned by MissioDei, a non-denominational Evangelical community.

 

The Swedish Covenant Church was founded by the Swedish Evangelical Mission Covenant of America (now ECC). The organization was founded on February 20, 1885 by Swedish immigrants in Chicago. The Edgewater Swedish Covenant Church dates back to 1909; today, it is known as Iglesia del Pacto Belen Covenant Church. Englewood Swedish Covenant Church is now the Rust Memorial United Methodist Church, but the stained glass over two doors still reads “Svenska Missions Kyrkan.”

                                                                        

Englewood Swedish Covenant Church, now the Rust Memorial United Methodist Church

The St. Ansgarius Episcopal Church is the oldest remaining Swedish Church building and one of the oldest churches in Chicago. The first church built was located at Indiana (today Grand) near Wells St., but was  destroyed in the great Chicago fire of 1871. The first pastor was Gustaf  Unonius (1810-1902), a prominent Swedish religious figure. He returned to Sweden nine years later after dispute with newer immigrant Scandinavian Lutherans. The second church was erected in 1872 on Chicago Avenue, but was razed in 1920 after also burning. The current church was built farther north in 1849, but changed its name in 1940s to St. Francis. The last congregation to utilize this church was Cristo Rey Iglesia Episcopal Church. At present, the church is closed and for sale. The Inscription over the main door reads “Jenny Lind Memorial Chapel." Jenny Lind was a famous Swedish opera singer, called the Swedish Nightingale, who donated a priceless communion silver chalice and paten to the church in 1851. When the great fire broke out in 1871 the silver was saved by an old Swedish woman. She hurried inside the burning church, brought out the silver, placed it in a buggy, which she then drove to the prairie outside the city limits, and kept it there until danger was past. The silver must always be kept in this church according to a letter, written in 1851 by the donor herself. Today, however, the only remaining items are the communion chalice and paten, which are kept at the Episcopal Church Center

Day 7: A Bit of Church History

A large number of Swedish-American sites are, appropriately enough, churches. For new immigrants, churches were a source of comfort and reminder of home. Members assisted these newcomers find jobs, learn English, and slowly ease into their new lives. For generations of Swedish-Americans, they served as community centers, cultural centers, and schools. In addition, many Church-based publications shared news from Sweden.

           

From the sixteenth century to the nineteenth century, it was illegal in Sweden to convert to another religion or Christian sect other than Lutheranism. When Swedish immigrants came to the U.S., they began to expand their religious perspectives to other Christian sects, such as Episcopal and Baptist. Some favored the Swedish Evangelical Free Church, which was founded in Boone, Iowa in 1884. This evangelical Christian sect places emphasis on the right of the church to self-govern. The Swedish Evangelical Covenant of America (now known simply as the Evangelical Covenant Church) was founded by Swedish immigrants who that were committed to sharing the Gospel as well as provide means for ministerial training.


There are five historical Swedish Lutheran churches in Chicago: Ebenezer, Immanuel Evangelical, Salem (a sister congregation of Immanuel Evangelical), All Saints', and Trinity Swedish Evangelical. Of the five, only Ebenezer and Immanuel Evangelical remain. The former sanctuary of Salem is now St. Jerome Croatian Catholic Church. All Saints' Lutheran Church is now Church of Christ, Presbyterian. Trinity Swedish Evangelical Lutheran has now been converted to condominiums.

Trinity Swedish Evangelical, now condominiums 

Salem Lutheran, now St. Jerome's Catholic Church

There is only one Free Church in Chicago: the First Evangelical Swedish Free Church of Chicago, which has since dropped "Swedish" from its name. 

Day 6: Photo Time!

I began taking pictures of the Swedish sites today with the help of my co-intern Kate. We stayed local, only along N. Clark and Foster. Many of the sites, such as Cafe Idrott and the Calo Theater, were converted to completely different businesses. Sadly, a couple of them were closing (Lyman Trumbull Elementary School and Nelson's Funeral Home). Others, such as Ann Sathers and the Swedish Bakery, were taken over by non-Swedes who upheld the Swedish heritage of their businesses successfully. Several sites are still owned by Swedish-Americans, who display their heritage proudly. Take, for example, Simon's Tavern and the Svea Restaurant, which are both owned by the same family. Each one is adorned with photographs and other artwork depicting the history of Andersonville's residents. Svea had more Swedish paraphernalia, but the structure of Simon's Tavern was more fascinating. Outside is a blue and yellow neon sign with a herring holding a martini glass (pickled herring is a Swedish delicacy). A stained glass depiction of this fish mirroring each other can be found inside. Also inside was a mural depicting a hunting scene. The bartender explained that in the early twentieth century, many of the people in the are went hunting up north. To add a more historical touch to the tavern, the artist spent seven years painting this lovely mural that spans the entire tavern.

Simon's Tavern has been around since the 1920s. At first it had been intended to be a cafe; it was the Prohibition after all. However, at some point, Simon Lundberg was encouraged to add a little alcohol into the menu, turning it into a speakeasy. The bartender explained that during the Great Depression, Simon's also maintained a functioning "bank," which is still present today. Looking inside the small window, one can see a trapdoor in the ceiling. Simon's wife used a bell-pull through this door to transfer money from above the tavern, where they lived. In this way, they cashed in checks on the spot. Simon's is also one of the few places that has alcoholic Glogg, a spicy punch that includes raisins and orange zest.

This is Glogg. 

I will begin adding the new pictures to the titles and descriptions of the Swedish sites while I continue to visit them. I realized today that it would be beneficial for me to contact these institutions earlier to see if I could take pictures on the interior of the buildings as well as the outside. Perhaps talking with the owners or associates would help provide information not found through published research, as was the case at Simon's Tavern. In addition, if the owners happened to be Swedish, they could be interviewed for the Oral History Project.



Update: I found a great video of Scott Martin, the current owner of Simon's, telling a scary ghost story connected to the bar and the Lundberg family.

Day 5: Books, Books, Books

On my first day at the Museum, I spent some time on Loyola Libraries' website researching books on Swedish-American history. I was pleasantly surprised to find, later, that many of the books I had checked out were all ready in the museum's library. Instead of heading the Oral History project, which my co-intern was focusing on, I catalogued books within the library that dealt with Swedish Chicago. Many of these books assisted me in researching the history of the sites. Interestingly enough, the one that helped me the most was a travel guide, Touring Swedish America, by Alan H. Winquist and Jessica Rousselow-Winquist. The book provided buildings, sculptures, and names of Swedish-American architects. The most intriguing book was The Swedish Theater of Chicago, 1868 - 1950. Theater groups and glee clubs were popular among Swedish-Americans living in Chicago, and they would often perform in locations not exclusively Swedish. One such example is the German Theater, known today as the "Vic."

During my research, I found a panoramic book on America in Swedish:

With the help of Google translate, I was able to read the descriptions. For the words I didn't know, a Swedish-English dictionary was never far away. 

One of the most beautiful books in the library was a Bible in Swedish with gold inlay in the cover. Inside contained beautiful biblical scenes. When looking for the publishing date, I was surprised to learn that it was printed not too far away from me: 112 Randolph St. I had stumbled upon another location to research for my Swedish Sites project.