Closing Reception at Vasa National Archive
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 practices, new markets for handcrafts, improved access to markets, and the development of different military and political agreements. This exhibit will be replaced with an exhibit on arts and crafts by Swedish immigrants and Swedish-Americans. The new exhibit will open April 1, 2017.
This event coincides with Bishop Hill’s Lucia Nights Weekend. Bishop Hill will begin the celebration with Lighting the Park Christmas tree at 6 pm on Friday, Dec. 9. Music, demonstrations, shopping, food, dancing and other activities will be available throughout the village on Dec. 9 and 10. For more information about Lucia Nights, call 309-927-3899 or visit www.bishophill.com.
The Vasa National Archive’s operational hours run from April 1 to mid-December, Tuesday through Saturday 10 – 4, Sunday from 11-3, and by appointment. For more information, contact the Vasa National Archive at VasaArchivist@gmail.com or at 309-927-3898. For up-to-date information, like us on Facebook.
