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Gammelgården

In 1972, local residents of Scandia had a wonderful vision. They began the Gammelgården project in order to preserve the past for the benefit of the future. As a result, one of the country’s best places to celebrate Scandinavian heritage was born.

Gammelgården is particularly important for families with Scandinavian ancestors, since it preserves the home of the first immigrants who settled in Minnesota. The site also includes an old parsonage, a corn crib and a barn. The project culminated with the Valkommen Hus, a two-story structure that provides office space, a wonderful boutique gift store, a classroom and restrooms to serve the growing number of visitors. But the real treat is walking into the buildings, letting yourself drift back in time and helping your grandchild connect to an era without electricity.

There are many festivals held here, and any one of them is worthwhile for the entire family. Our favorite is Spelmansstämma, but several other events should be noted on your calendar too, including the following:

 Annie’s Coffee Parties – A long-standing tradition, tour the grounds, with a three-course coffee party in honor of the longest-lived resident of Gammelgården.

 Immigrant Day – Explore the life of new residents as activities take place in all the buildings of the museum complex.

 Midsommar Dag (Mid-summer day) – Raise the Majstång (May Pole) and enjoy dancers, music and entertainment.

 Girls & Dolls Tea Party – Games and stories accompany the fancy settings and the tea and treats with music and the legends of Lucia.

 Running of the Meatballs – Nowhere else will you see meatballs given their freedom to race down the hill. A fundraiser, yes, but definitely fun.

 Lucia Dagen – Lucia Day – A truly Scandinavian holiday festival with lots of pageantry and colorful costumes and decorations.

Bonding and bridging:

You probably didn’t live in houses this small and crowded, but your grandparents or their parents might have. How do you share with children the ways that our lives have changed? Your old photos are good, but Gammelgården is a tangible reference for them.

Were these people happy? What did the children do for fun? What did they eat? Was there a grocery store? These are questions that grand-children need to have answered. Could you or your grandchild live like this? What else would you need to have? Use this time as an excuse to buy one of the children’s books that depicts the life of this time. Read it, then talk about it. For older children choose a young adult novel, and read it together over time.

A word to the wise:

Spelmanstämma is an excellent way to enjoy the warmth of summer and enjoy a Swedish heritage. In the morning there are special children’s programs followed by fiddle music and a parade! Check out the announcements; sometimes there are additional events and opportunities associated with scheduled activities.

Age of grandchild: 5 and up

Best season: Summer and fall

Contact: Gammelgården, 20880 Olinda Trail, Scandia, MN 55073 • (651) 433-5053 • www.Gammelgårdenmuseum.org

Also check out:

American Swedish Institute, Minneapolis; (612) 871-4907; www.asimn.org

Heritage Hjemkomst Interpretive Center, Moorhead; (218) 299-5515; www.cityofmoorhead.com/departments/parks-and-recreation/hjemkomst-center

If you don’t know [your family’s] history, then you don’t know anything. You are a leaf that doesn’t know it is part of a tree. MICHAEL CRICHTON