New Sweden Farmstead Museum
50 East Broad St.
Bridgeton, NJ 08302
(856) 455-9785 • 455-3230 (Bridgeton Recreation Department)
www.newswedenfarmstead.org

Scandinavian heritage in the Delaware Valley extends back to 1638, only 18 years after the Pilgrims landed at Plymouth Rock. A company of Swedes and Ethnic Finns, known as the New Sweden Company, was organized by Peter Minuit under the aegis of King Gustavus Adolphus to establish a colony in the New World.

The explorers' ships were called the Kalmar Nyckel and the Fogel Grip. They traveled across the North Atlantic, down the Jersey coast, into the Delaware Bay and up the Delaware River to Wilmington. Long before the wave of 19th century Swedish immigrants arrived, these early explorers had settled near Salem, New Jersey. These early settlements did not last long, threatening Dutch shipping interests in New York. However, their influence has endured the centuries.

In 1983 the new New Sweden Company formed in Historic Bridgeton, honoring the original by taking its name, to re-create a 17th century Swedish/Finnish farmstead. The endeavor was assisted by a technical team that came from Sweden to supervise construction, assuring authenticity of the structures, fireplaces, chimneys, and the furnace for the Blacksmith Shop.

In 1988 the grand opening of the farmstead signalled the 350th Anniversary of the New Sweden Colony in America. And on April 14th, their majesties King Carl XVI Gustav and Queen Silvia formally opened the Farmstead Museum. The New Sweden Company continues to establish itself as an educator and provider of historical data and cultural information relating to the Scandinavian influence in the development of the United States.

The New Sweden Farmstead is located in Bridgeton City Park on Mayor Aitken Drive in Bridgeton.

Visitors today can enjoy these exact replica log structures, including a

• Blacksmith Shop
• Storehouse
• Threshing Barn
• Stable
• Residence
• Barn with Outhouse
• Sauna
• and a Smokehouse

The farmstead reflects Swedish/Finnish life as it was in the 17th century, and many of the buildings contain authentic collections of artifacts.

While no formal School Programs are yet available, Tours are educational, imparting a unique insight into the history of our nation.