By Mark W. Olson
Carver County’s bourgeoning Swede scene received a high profile guest last week.
Swedish Consul General Bruce Karstadt toured the historic Andrew Peterson farm on Jan. 31, followed by a reception in Victoria.
Besides representing the country of Sweden as consul, Karstadt is CEO/president of the American Swedish Institute, a museum and research center located in the historic Turnblad mansion in Minneapolis.
Carver County Commissioner Randy Maluchnik invited Karstadt, whose visit was also arranged by the Carver County Historical Society.
“Bruce is in constant contact with the people from Sweden – dignitaries and people involved in business and that kind of thing,” Maluchnik said. “I wanted to make sure that they understand that we want the people to come out and visit Carver County and visit the site if possible and understand that we cherish and honor what Andrew Peterson and other Swedish immigrants did to settle our country.”
Besides promoting an understanding of immigrants, Maluchnik said he also hoped to foster governmental and economic cooperation between Carver County and Sweden.
Andrew Peterson
Andrew Peterson, a Swedish immigrant who arrived in Carver County in 1855, kept meticulous diaries. These journals were later researched by Swedish novelist Vilhelm Moberg for a popular four-novel series on Swedish immigrants in Minnesota.
“Because of Peterson’s diary, we have a clear record of how immigrant life unfolded,” Karstadt said. Through the Moberg novels, and subsequent movies, Peterson became an “inspiration to millions of people,” Karstadt told those gathered for the reception, held at Victoria’s Acorn House.
While many Minnesotans are interested in their Swedish ancestry, Swedes are also interested in the emigrant’s tale. “Everyone’s fascinated by the American West,” said Karstadt, adding that there’s a “real affinity for American culture.
A group in Sweden has formed the Andrew Peterson Society. A few of its members came here in 2006 to help restore the Peterson farm granary. Handcrafted hasps from one of the restorers, 90-year-old Sven Lindfors, were presented at the consul reception, to be used on the granary.
Swedish resurgence
Besides continuing preservation efforts at the Andrew Peterson farm, there are other signs of a local Swedish resurgence.
This year, the East and West Union Lutheran Church congregations, home to early Swedish immigrants, note their 150th anniversaries.
The area Nordic Heritage Club was recently founded to celebrate Scandinavian traditions.
During the consul reception last week, Carver County Commissioner Randy Maluchnik announced his hopes that the county could form a partnership and exchange program with the region of Sweden that Peterson was from.
Maluchnik read a board proclamation honoring the county’s Swedish heritage at the reception.
The county is currently considering how or if the farm site should be incorporated into its comprehensive plan, Maluchnik said.
County Proclamation
Whereas, Swedish immigrants were among the earliest pioneers and have contributed largely to the development and value of Carver County and Minnesota; and
Whereas, the first Swedish settlements in Carver County were in the mid 1800s with communities such as Scandia (near Waconia) Gotaholm (near Watertown) and East Union and West Union (near Carver); and
Whereas, Swedish immigrant, Andrew Peterson, kept a diary over a course of 40 years leaving behind a written history of the day to day life of living in Carver County;
Now, therefore, the Carver County Board of Commissioners recognizes the endurance and determination of the Swedish immigrants and the contributions of Andrew Peterson and all Swedish immigrants for their important role in the settlement and development of Carver County.
Source: Carver County