Founded September 2003
info@bridgetonrenaissanceleague.org
The Bridgeton Christmas Historic House Tour
The New Sweden Farmstead Museum
The Bridgeton Renaissance League
"Promoting the Arts, History, and Beautification of Bridgeton"
A Section 501(c)(3) non profit organization
Join us on December 1, 2007 for a spectacular
17th Century Christmas at The New Sweden Farmstead Museum.....!
The New Sweden Farmstead Museum
A replica of an actual 17th C. Swedish Settlement
As the story goes, in 1638 just eighteen years after the arrival of the Pilgrims, the Swedes and ethnic Finns arrived in Delaware on the ships the Kalmer Nyckel and Fogel Grip to found a colony in the New World. Although the colony existed under the control of the Swedes for only 17 years, the Swedish people were remarkable among European colonists for their ability to live peacefully among the indigenous Lenni Lenape peoples, with whom they truly shared the lands and resources. The New Sweden Colony can therefore be considered a success story in the history of European/Native American relations.
Seventh Sanctuary performs period music of the kind that might have been enjoyed by the settlers of this farm. The Bridgeton Renaissance League recreates the magic of a 17th Century Swedish Christmas each year at the farmstead.
The New Sweden Farmstead Museum stands today as a historical remembrance of the history of the Swedish Finnish people in early America and as one of the most important opportunities for the continued preservation of Swedish culture in the United States today. This amazing site was built in 1987 to commemorate the 350th anniversary of the arrival of the colonists in 1638 and was dedicated by their Majesties the King and Queen of Sweden. Our friends from Sweden sent a team of experts to supervise the construction of the site consisting of seven log cabin structures with authentic fireplaces, chimneys and furnace for the blacksmith shop.
One of the Leagues aspirational goals is to operate this museum as an ongoing living history museum open to the public with fabulous programming. We are seeking financial support for this endeavor in the form of contributions, endowments, and/or grants. To accomplish this task most effectively, the museum will have a full time director with a host of intriguing programming and special events to be held at the site.
Children's programming, special food events, Swedish customs and holidays, and a living history format to educate and inspire. This represents our vision for the museum. If you are interested in becoming a donor or a sponsor for this endeavor, please contact The League to share your expression of support and generosity.
17th Century Swedish Christmas
4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Event offered on Saturday, December 1, 2007 as a part of the Christmas Historic House Tour
Tickets for both the Christmas Historic House Tour and the 17th Century Swedish Christmas are:
$15.00 in advance or $17.00 at the door.
Tickets are available for purchase after November 1, 2007.
You may purchase your tickets by mail, at one of the locations of our select merchants, or in person the day of the event at The Nail House Museum.
The Christmas celebration will be a magical time filled with the sights, flavors and sounds of Sweden. The main house and two barns will be opened to the public with a fire in the hearth accompanied by an extraordinary musical presentation by Seventh Sanctuary who will share with us authentic Swedish music from that period. Music, saffron and cardamom buns, gingersnaps, coffee and the joy of Christmas will permeate the air.
The Bridgeton Renaissance League's Swedish Christmas is being celebrated on December 1, 2007 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at one of the most important sites for the education and enjoyment of Swedish culture on the east coast. The Farmstead is located in the heart of the City's park. The tour for the historic homes and the farmstead Christmas event each depart from the Nail House Museum at the City Park's entrance situated along West Commerce Street. Your transportation to the museum can be by foot, your own vehicle or by horse drawn sleigh. Yes, a horse drawn sleigh. The magic of the experience is immeasurable.
1 Mayor Aitken Dr
Bridgeton, NJ
December 1, 2007
Christmas at The New Sweden Farmstead Museum
A Featured Destination of The Bridgeton Christmas Historic House Tour
The tour continues to The New Sweden Farmstead Museum for a 17th Century Swedish Christmas. This fascinating destination offers a recreated New Sweden settlement circa 1638. Visitors will be dazzled by life at this settlement by period music and tours lighted by candlelight.
Listen to Living History Music featuring Kent Courtney, performing music and telling stories about the history of New Sweden in the 1600s and the history of New Jersey. Kent Courtney is frequently on The History Channel and has appeared on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Good Morning America, PBS, The Discovery Channel, BBC, The Travel Channel, NPR, C-SPAN, A&E, and CNN. Kent Courtney’s CDs have won splendid reviews and are available at The New Sweden Farmstead Museum. His latest release is a delightful instrumental CD entitled Secrets of the Feast.
Performing with Kent will be Melissa Arleth who is an accomplished classical guitarist.
The Irish Guard from the Philadelphia area will be making a guest appearance this year dressed in costuming from the New Sweden Colony era toting their 1600's firelock muskets. The Guard will be providing demonstrational firings of the muskets and interacting with the visitors throughout the evening.
Included with the tour is a horse drawn sleigh ride from the Nail House Museum (the tour departure point) to the farmstead as well as shuttle bus service to the site.
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