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Location: Main - Travel News - New Sweden Heritage Days
New Sweden Heritage Days
Discover the history and heritage of some of the first settlers to New Jersey


Pennsville, NJ, June 6, 2004 – Come celebrate New Sweden Heritage Day, the history and heritage of New Jersey's rich past, and Sweden’s National Day (Flag Day) at Riverview Beach Park in Pennsville, just off Rt 49, 2 miles south of the Delaware Memorial Bridge. From 11:00am - 5:00pm

On hand will be the Swedish Ambassador to the United States, Jan Eliasson, to dedicate the New Sweden Monument. The Heritage walk will be set up in 8 stations/time zones along the river walk
with signs to identify each station.

1. “ Viking Ancestors”
The 40’ Norseman Viking ship replica on exhibition, manned by the crew of the Lief Erickson Viking Ship, Inc. in costume. They will be bringing a Viking game “Kubb” said Coob David Segermark-and crew will have someone with the ship all day.

2. “Lenape Land”
LenapeWomen ToKiPahKiNao, Mary Ellen Flynn and children in traditional Lenape clothing will man this station for the full day.

3. “ New Sweden Colony 1638-55”

Black Anthony, ( Adolfus Fletcher)the first black man on record in New Sweden who arrived on the Fogel Grip in 1639 from Angola in the West Indies. The Swedes did not traffic in slaves, Anthony was emancipated. He served as a laborer for Governor Printz
For wages in the fields and on one of the Governor’s sloops.

Governor Peter Ridder (Ken Peterson) who served as interim Governor of the colony until Govenor Printz’s arrival, he purchased the land in South Jersey 1641
Johan Printz, (David Lewis) the official Governor of the colony who built Ft. Elfsborg in 1643 and ruled until 1654

4. “Swedish Nation-Dutch rule 1656-64”
Peter Stuyvesant, the Dutch Governor, (former Mayor of Pennsville George Reed) who ruled the area from 1655-65 while the Dutch were in control of the colony. He allowed the officials of the Swedish Colony, who swore allegiance to the Dutch, to maintain their own government, know as the Swedish Nation during his rule.

At a ceremony held at Fort Casimir (the Dutch name for New Castle) on 4 August 1656, a new "nation" called the "Swedish nation" was born. On that day sheriff Gregorius van Dyck from Gothenburg appeared with the four magistrates -- Olof Stille from Roslagen, Sweden; Mats Hansson from Borga, Finland; Peter Cock from Bangsta, near Strangnas, Sweden; and Peter Rambo from Hisingen, near Gothenburg. All were sworn in and warned that in trading with the Indians no "strong beverages" were to be sold. Other initial appointments included Mran the Finn of Crum Creek as provost or court messenger, Sven Skute as captain of the militia, Anders Dalbo as lieutenant and Jacob Svensson as ensign. Dr. Peter Craigs From The Bulletin of the Delaware County Historical Society, Volume 44, Number 3, Summer 1993, pp. 1,5,9
300 Years Ago: The Swedes of the Delaware Valley, 1693 Part One (note) Anders died prior to 1672
Lieutenant, Anders Larsson Dalbo, Joe Hogate
Peter Gunnerson Rambo, Deputy Herb Rambo

5. “Swedes/Finns-English rule 1664-1776”

John Fenwick, (David Rose) founder of Fenwick's colony and Salem 1675
William Penn, (Eric Burro) founder of Pennsylvania utilized the services the Swedes and Finns in his government and bartered for the land the Swedes and Finns owned, that is now the city of Philadelphia
Sarah Hancock- Doris Tice She will be bringing children’s clothing for display, sugar nippers, and sugar cones. Basket with games graces and Jacobs ladders and will assist Ruth Runkle with
Children’s games. She is a Trustee of Friends of the Hancock House,lives in the Cornnelia Hancock house, married to a descendant of the Hancocks.

#6 “Colonial Games”
“ Miss Ruth” (Ruth Runkle), educational consultant will supervise the children stories and colonial games and will be assisted by Beth Daly another educator who has promoted history to children throughout the state for many years. Ruth has an assortment of games and one colonial wooden hoop. Jean Powell who may also be assisting at this station
has a second hoop for children.

#7 “Swedes/Finns Church Builders 1699-1717”
Rev. Eric Bjork (Rev. Kim-Eric Williams) Swedish minister served Christina (Wilimington). Penns Neck -Church boat exhibit
Parishioners from Penns Neck Church Olle and Anna Fransson (Ed and Martha Rogers)
Edie Rohrman (in Swedish National Dress) will staff this area during the luncheon

#8 “Jersey Memories”
Peter Kalm, (John Gardner) Swedish botanist, lived in West Jersey, preached at “Old Swedes” church in Swedesboro, married widow of the pastor; wrote about New Jersey.

Miss Molly” (Karon Caron )the herb lady with "grandma's colonial medicine chest

Barbara Mayers, educational director of the Kalmar Nyckel Assoc. will demonstrate spinning on a ships spinning wheel at one of the other areas.

Other activities and exhibits:

The 17th Century Military Encampment;
Brandywine Antique Car Exhibit
Old Time Games Display and demonstration of KUBB. The public will be able to play the game free and try their skill at this 1000 year old game, played by the Vikings.

Midsummer Pole will be set up for the Swedish Dance group from New York
The Brandywine Antique Automobile Club will have their cars on display.
Malcolm Jones, engraver, will be demonstrating slate carving.

Educational and Cultural Displays including:
Genealogical Society of Salem County
Vasa Order of America, NJ District 6
Finnish-American Society of the Delaware Valley
Nanticoke Lenni-Lenape Indians;
Lenape Lifeways Educational Program, Inc.
St. George’s Episcopal Church;

Entertainment during the Smorgasbord Reception for the Ambassador (private event):
Eric Sahle'n, Swedish American Composer, pianist
Bronwyn Bird, Nyckelharpa music (Sweden’s National Instrument)
NY Swedish Dancers Barnklubben the oldest Swedish/American children's club in the Vasa order of America
Nanticoke Lenni-Lenape Dancers



Schedule of Events (tentative)

Start Time Approx Time Participants Activity Purpose
11:00am 10 - 15 mins MC Welcome Herb Rambo Intro 17th Century Militia Musket Firing - to stand at attention fordance/prayer To assemble audience
11:15am 10 mins Nanticoke Lenni-Lenape Welcome Dance/prayer Lenape Welcome
11:25am 30+ 17th Century Militia Military Drills Public demonstration
11:55am 10+ Browyn Bird Nyckellharpa Public Entertainment
noon 20 Mins Barnklubben, NY Swedish Dancing Tradition Midsummer
12:25pm 1 hour Barnklubben dancers Private Picnic Refreshment
12:30pm 90 mins Nichkleharpa/piano music RSVP Smorgasbord Refresh/entertainment
2:00
Dedidacation
Procession
5 mins MC will announce militia, Interpreters, muscians, Swedish/Indian dancers, dignataries as they enter Escort Ambassador and participants by the Militia Introduce the participants to the audience
2:10pm 2 mins Rev Joseph Moore,
St George's Church
Prayer Evoke blessing
2:13pm 2 mins New Sweden Gov. Johan Printz - David Lewis Greetings - From history Welcome the public
2:15pm 3 mins AMERICAN NATIONAL Anthem Honor America
2:18pm 3 mins NATIVE AMERICAN NATIONAL ANTHEM Anthem Honor Native Americans
2:21pm 3 mins SWEDISH NATIONAL Anthem Honor Sweden
2:24pm 3 mins FINNISH NATIONAL Anthem Honor Finland
2:30pm 5 - 7 mins WILLIAM PENN
ERIC BURRO
Topic "Contributions of the Swedens and Finns" Engender public understanding of historical roles
2:36pm 2 - 3 mins Conclusion by Penn Recognition of the Swedes/Finns Prototypical proclamation
  2 - 4 mins Douglas Fisher, Assembly
Steve Sweeney, Senator
Assembly/Senate Governors Proclamations Proclamation Reading
  2 - 4 mins Charles Sullivan, Director
Sale County Freeholders
Salem County Proclamation Proclamation Reading
  2 - 4 mins Mayor Richard Barnhart Township Proclamation Proclamation Reading
2:43pm 2 mins Gov. Ron Henrickson Swedish Colonial Society Comments
2:45pm 10 mins Ambassador Jan Eliasson Address Comments
2:55pm 1 min Ambassador and Lenape Representative/other Unveil Monument For public viewing
2:56pm 1 min Wreath presented Dedication
2:58pm 1 min

1600 Lenape Prayer,
by Pat Rossello

Old prayer from Black Feather Evoke Blessing
2:59pm 1 min Rev Kim Eric Williams Swedish/English Benediction
3:00pm   17th Century Militia Musket Firing Dedication FINIS
3:00 - 4:30
Celebration
  Swedish Dancers
Lenape Dancers
Games for Children
Dancing around the monument/maypole HERITAGE WALK Demonstrate friendship of Swedes and Finns
    Entertainment to be posted Militia/Lenape For the Public
4:30 - 5:00   Militia Musket Firing Exhibits Close Clean Up
         
Code:
Red - Militia
Blue - Musician
Orange - Lenape
Purple - Swedish Dancers

For more information go to their website at SwedishHeritage.us


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