Vasa Order of America
Encyclopedia
Vasa Order of America is a Swedish-American fraternal, cultural and educational organization.
at the height of Swedish immigration to the United States
as a Swedish-American fraternal order. Vasa Order of America emerged out of the many Swedish societies that existed as a safety net for early immigrants. Named for the House of Vasa
, the historic Royal House of Sweden, it has been noted as one of the largest Swedish-American ethnic or cultural organizations
The Vasa Order comprises the Grand Lodge, 19 District Lodges, and nearly 300 local lodges. Local lodges in the United States, Canada, and Sweden offer cultural, language, and scholarship programs. The organization owns numerous lodge buildings and several parks, operates the Vasa National Archives at Bishop Hill, Illinois
, and administers an Old Age and Sick Benefit Fund for members. Grand Conventions are held every four years.
The organization is led by a Grand Master, Vice Grand Master, Grand Secretary, Grand Treasurer, and other board members and officers. The official publication of the Vasa Order of America is the Vasa Star (Swedish: Vasastjärnan).
(Swedish: Svenska Emigrantinstitutet) in Växjö
, Småland
, Sweden
.
History
Vasa Order of America was founded in 1896 in New Haven, ConnecticutNew Haven, Connecticut
New Haven is the second-largest city in Connecticut and the sixth-largest in New England. According to the 2010 Census, New Haven's population increased by 5.0% between 2000 and 2010, a rate higher than that of the State of Connecticut, and higher than that of the state's five largest cities, and...
at the height of Swedish immigration to the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
as a Swedish-American fraternal order. Vasa Order of America emerged out of the many Swedish societies that existed as a safety net for early immigrants. Named for the House of Vasa
House of Vasa
The House of Vasa was the Royal House of Sweden 1523-1654 and of Poland 1587-1668. It originated from a noble family in Uppland of which several members had high offices during the 15th century....
, the historic Royal House of Sweden, it has been noted as one of the largest Swedish-American ethnic or cultural organizations
The Vasa Order comprises the Grand Lodge, 19 District Lodges, and nearly 300 local lodges. Local lodges in the United States, Canada, and Sweden offer cultural, language, and scholarship programs. The organization owns numerous lodge buildings and several parks, operates the Vasa National Archives at Bishop Hill, Illinois
Bishop Hill, Illinois
Bishop Hill is a village in Henry County, Illinois, along the South Edwards River. The population was 128 at the 2010 census, up from 125 at the 2000 census...
, and administers an Old Age and Sick Benefit Fund for members. Grand Conventions are held every four years.
The organization is led by a Grand Master, Vice Grand Master, Grand Secretary, Grand Treasurer, and other board members and officers. The official publication of the Vasa Order of America is the Vasa Star (Swedish: Vasastjärnan).
Swedish-American of the Year
Since 1960, The Vasa Order of America has selected a prominent American citizen of Swedish birth or descent to become Swedish-American of the Year. Every year the two Swedish District Lodges of the Vasa Order of America select an American of Swedish descent to be The Swedish-American of the Year. The Swedish-American of the Year is honored during Sweden-America Days in various places in Sweden. A tablet containing the names of all award recipients is kept in the Swedish Emigrant InstituteSwedish Emigrant Institute
Swedish Emigrant Institute is a research center and museum which is designed to preserve records and memorabilia relating to Swedish-American migration.-Background:...
(Swedish: Svenska Emigrantinstitutet) in Växjö
Växjö
Växjö is a city and the seat of Växjö Municipality, Kronoberg County, Sweden with 64 200 inhabitants in 2010. It is the administrative, cultural and industrial centre of Kronoberg County. Furthermore it is the episcopal see of the Diocese of Växjö. It has a population of about 64 200, out of a...
, Småland
Småland
' is a historical province in southern Sweden.Småland borders Blekinge, Scania or Skåne, Halland, Västergötland, Östergötland and the island Öland in the Baltic Sea. The name Småland literally means Small Lands. . The latinized form Smolandia has been used in other languages...
, Sweden
Sweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
.
Other sources
- Anderson, Philip J.; Dag Blanck Swedes in the Twin Cities:Immigrant Life and Minnesota’s Urban Frontier (Minnesota Historical Society Press, 2001) ISBN 0873513991