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American-Swedish Historical Museum Review

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American-Swedish Historical Museum

Address: 1900 Pattison Ave., South Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA | Map It
Phone: 215/389-1776
www.americanswedish.org

Category: Museums/Galleries
Location: South Philadelphia

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Fodor's Review:

The Swedes settled the Delaware Valley in the mid-1600s before William Penn, but few traces remain other than this museum, set amid architectural remnants of the nation's 1926 Sesquicentennial Exposition. Modeled after a 17th-century Swedish manor house, the museum has 14 galleries that trace the history and contribution of Swedes in the United States. The John Ericsson Room honors the designer of the Civil War ironclad ship the Monitor, and the Jenny Lind Room contains memorabilia from the Swedish Nightingale's American tour of 1848-51. One exhibition details Alfred Nobel's career and the Nobel prize laureates who were honored during the past 100 years. Other rooms display handmade costumed Swedish peasant dolls, crafts, paintings, and drawings. To get here, you can pick up the subway just below the Clothespin sculpture, at 15th and Market streets. Take the Broad Street subway south to Pattison Avenue. When you get out, cross Broad Street and walk five blocks west through the park to the museum.

Cost: $6
Open: Tues.-Fri. 10-4, weekends noon-4

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