Swedish American Museum

The Swedish American Museum will reinterpret, renovate, and reinstall its permanent exhibition, “Dream of America,” which for two decades has engaged school groups and other visitors with the Andersonville community’s historic Swedish roots. As the demographics in Andersonville evolved to a more diverse community with first-generation immigrants from around the world and a vibrant LGBTQ+ population, the museum re-envisioned its major exhibition, now to be called “We Are America.” The new exhibit will present a more holistic portrayal of the immigrant experience by incorporating diverse perspectives and current immigration scholarship. Partners in the Chicago Cultural Alliance will contribute stories of immigration history that draw parallels and acknowledge differences between the experience of 19th century Swedes and recent immigrants.