By Steve Woit
 Gustavus Adolphus College
 Founded by immigrants in the 1860s at St. Peter, Minn.

Gustavus Adolphus College

St. Peter, Minn.

The hilltop campus of Gustavus Adolphus College, founded by Swedish immigrants in the 1860s, overlooks the town of St. Peter in south-central Minnesota. "A number of buildings and markers underscore the school's Swedish heritage," says Jessica. "Old Main is on the National Register of Historic Places. The Jussi Björling Recital Hall, Nobel Hall of Science and Linnaeus Arboretum also bear Swedish names." 507-933-8000; gustavus.edu.

    
                American Swedish Institute: Originally the  Minneapolis manse of a newspaperman
 

American Swedish Institute

Minneapolis

This Indiana-limestone mansion was built for newspaper owner Swan J. Turnblad at the turn of the 20th century. After the death of his wife, he established what would become the American Swedish Institute and endowed his home to the organization. "The richly decorated two-story grand hall and several spectacular ceramic-tiled kakelugn (stoves) are among its most imposing features," Alan Winquist says. 612-871-4907; americanswedishinst.org.

Swedish American Museum Center

Chicago

During the past 20 years, the center "has become one of the three largest museums in the United States focusing on the Swedish immigration experience (the others are the American Swedish Historical Museum in Philadelphia and the American Swedish Institute in Minneapolis)," Alan Winquist says. A highlight: "From Vikings to Visionaries," an interactive exhibit for children. 773-728-8111; samac.org.

Holy Trinity (Old Swedes) Church

Wilmington, Del.

Delaware was originally settled by Swedes arriving in 1638 at what is today Wilmington. "In 1697, three Church of Sweden missionaries arrived, and shortly Holy Trinity (Old Swedes) Church was built," Alan Winquist says. "The sanctuary contains significant features dating from the early 1700s." Nearby is Hendrickson House, built in 1690 by a Swedish settler. 302-652-5629; oldswedes.org.

Birger Sandzén Memorial Gallery

Lindsborg, Kan.

Swedish-born Birger Sandzén immigrated to Lindsborg in 1894, joined the faculty of Bethany College and, over six decades, produced hundreds of oil and watercolor paintings. He is noted for his landscapes of Kansas and Colorado, many of which can be seen in the gallery. "My personal favorite Sandzén work is the ethereal Ascension found in the Trinity United Methodist Church," Jessica Winquist says. 785-227-2220; www.sandzen.org.

Bishop Hill, Ill.

Bishop Hill began as a religious commune in 1846 on the northwestern plains of Illinois. Twenty large commercial buildings were erected, many in classical style, and some 15,000 acres of land were farmed. The colonists excelled in producing linen, furniture, wagons, brooms and farm products. "A number of the original buildings are open to the public, including the impressive Colony Church, the Steeple Building and the Bjorklund Hotel," Alan Winquist says. 309-927-3345; illinoishistory.gov/hs/bishop_hill.htm.

Gammelgården

Scandia, Minn.

"One of the loveliest Swedish-American sites in Minnesota is the complex of six pioneer structures called Gammelgården, or the Old Farm," Alan Winquist says. Among the buildings: the oldest existing Swedish Lutheran Church and parsonage in the state. Nearby is a monument honoring Swedish pioneers. 651-433-5053; www.scandiamn.com/gammelgarden.

'Spirit of Nebraska's Wilderness'

Omaha

Swedish-born Kent Ullberg's wildlife sculptures can be found throughout the USA, but Jessica's favorite is his monumental fountain installation depicting 58 Canada geese taking off from a pond, flying through the air, circling an intersection and ending in the glass-enclosed atrium of the First National Bank in downtown Omaha. "The geese dramatically transition from bronze to stainless steel to symbolize the evolution from the open range to the modern cityscape," Jessica Winquist says.

Cranbrook Art Academy

Bloomfield Hills, Mich.

From 1931 to 1951, the internationally acclaimed Carl Milles was the resident sculptor at Cranbrook. "A number of his works are housed in the (academy's) gallery, but there are also several Milles fountains on the grounds," Jessica Winquist says. Her favorite Milles work, however, is elsewhere: The Fountain of the Muses at Brookgreen Gardens near Georgetown, S.C. 248-645-3300; www.cranbrook.edu.

Rika's Roadhouse and Landing, Big Delta State Historical Park

Delta Junction, Alaska

Rika Wallen, born in Sweden, emigrated to Minnesota in 1891 and eventually made her way to Alaska, where she managed a roadhouse on the Tanana River during the gold rush. She was a natural farmer who understood the cold Alaskan climate. "She designed and supervised the construction of a Swedish-style barn with a unique ventilation system making it possible to winter cows, sheep, oxen, mules and poultry," Jessica Winquist says. "The Roadhouse is the oldest non-refurbished building in Alaska, and Rika's barn is now a museum." 907-895-4201; alaskafursandgifts.com/roadhouse.html