WCU’s Knauer Art Gallery Presents Reflections of New Sweden January 20 – February 22
Exhibition Explores Swedish and Finnish Culture along the Delaware River: Opening Reception on Thursday, January 22
From January 20 through February 22, West Chester University will present Reflections of New Sweden: Swedish and Finnish Culture along the Delaware, a special exhibition celebrating nearly four centuries of cultural heritage and community building along the Delaware River. The exhibition is FREE and open to the public in the Knauer Art Gallery at West Chester University, Swope Music Building and Performing Arts Center, 817 S. High Street, West Chester. Gallery hours are Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, contact the Department of Art + Design at 610.436.2872 or email artinfo@wcupa.edu. An artist talk and opening reception will take place on Thursday, January 22, from 4 to 6 p.m. in the Knauer Gallery and the Ware Recital Hall.
Reflections of New Sweden traces the story of the Swedish and Finnish settlers who arrived along the Delaware River in 1638 as part of the Swedish Empire’s colony known as New Sweden. Established to develop forts and trading posts during the height of the beaver trade, New Sweden became the first permanent settlement in Pennsylvania. Between 1638 and 1655, twelve expeditions arrived, and by the time William Penn landed in 1682, the region was home to Dutch, Swedes, Finns, and Algonquian (Lenape) peoples living along the river’s banks.
The exhibition features five thematic sections: The Journey to a New World; Early Forts and Settlements; Churches and Communities; Uncovering the Past; and Celebrating Today. Together, these sections highlight both the historical foundations and the living cultural traditions that continue to shape the Delaware Valley.
Curator and West Chester University Professor Juliet Wunsch emphasizes the contemporary relevance of the exhibition.
“This exhibit explores an often overlooked thread in America's tapestry. It introduces the experience of settlement, community building, and lasting impact on national identity, inviting attendees to engage in community beyond the exhibit walls. It is a fun and educational journey for all ages," says Wunsch.
Despite the colony’s brief lifespan, its inhabitants maintained peaceful relations with neighboring Lenape, Dutch, and English communities. Their lasting legacy continued through the development of churches, schools, and communities where Swedish language and culture endured. While approximately 600 settlers reached New Sweden, only 300 remained by the time of the Dutch invasion; nevertheless, their descendants flourished, and today more than 20 million Americans can trace their ancestry back to New Sweden.
Content and artifacts for Reflections of New Sweden have been graciously contributed by numerous regional and national organizations, including the American Swedish Historical Museum; the Swedish Colonial Society; Gloria Dei “Old Swedes’” Church (Philadelphia, PA); Holy Trinity “Old Swedes’” Church and Hendrickson House (Wilmington, DE); the Lower Swedish Cabin (Drexel Hill, PA); the Finnish-American Society of the Delaware Valley; the Kalmar Nyckel Foundation (Wilmington, DE); Trinity Episcopal “Old Swedes’” Church and Schorn Log Cabin (Swedesboro, NJ); St. George’s Episcopal Church (Pennsville, NJ); the Hancock House/Swedish Plank Cabin (Hancocks Bridge, NJ); Historic Elk Landing (Elkton, MD); the New Sweden Center (Wilmington, DE); the New Sweden Alliance; the Lenape Nation of Pennsylvania; and others.
ART GALLERY LISTINGS INFORMATION:
January 20 – February 22
West Chester University Presents
Reflections of New Sweden: Swedish and Finnish Culture along the Delaware
Knauer Art Gallery, West Chester University, Swope Music Building and Performing Arts
Center, 817 S. High Street
Monday–Friday, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.; FREE and open to the public
For more information, call 610.436.2872 or email artinfo@wcupa.edu