Founded in 1926, the American Swedish Historical Museum in South Philadelphia is the oldest Swedish museum in the U.S. Built on Lenape ancestral lands once part of the New Sweden Colony (1638–1655), the Museum was established by Dr. Amandus Johnson as a monument to Swedish contributions in America. Prince Bertil of Sweden laid its cornerstone during Philadelphia’s Sesquicentennial, and it opened to the public in 1928, with a grand opening in 1938 marking New Sweden’s 300th anniversary.

Designed by architect John Nydén, the building blends a 17th-century Swedish manor house with arcades inspired by George Washington’s Mount Vernon. Today, the Museum features 12 galleries on topics from Swedish immigration to women’s history and craft arts, and is also available for private rentals and events.