Christmas
2024-12-25 | MN
Merry Christmas/God Jul from Gammelgården Museum of Scandia!

Gammelgården Butik (Gift Shop) at CLC's Lutefisk Dinner
2025-01-16 11:00 - 18:00 (America/Chicago) | Christ Lutheran Church
This is your opportunity to get Scandinavian food and gifts to take home and enjoy after the delicious lutefisk and meatballs dinner at Christ Lutheran Church in Marine on St. Croix.

There will be a variety of items for purchase from Gammelgården’s Butik (Gift Shop) – food, home decorations, books, clothing, and more.

Volunteer and Member Appreciation Event
2025-01-19 13:30 - 15:30 | Gammelgarden Museum of Scandia, 20880 Olinda Trail North, Scandia, MN, 55073, United States
Gammelgården volunteers and members are invited to this annual event. Invitations are mailed to those who have volunteered or joined/supported the museum in 2024. Please contact Ann at director@gammelgardenmuseum.org if you volunteered in 2024 and did not receive an invitation to the event.
Members and volunteers – please RSVP by January 12th by emailing Ann at director@gammelgardenmuseum.org or calling 651-433-5053.

Vinterfest Activities at Gammelgården
2025-01-25 10:00 - 16:00 | Gammelgarden Museum of Scandia, 20880 Olinda Trail North, Scandia, MN, 55073, United States
2025 Vinterfest Activities at Gammelgarden Flyer

2025 Community-Wide Activities
Mark your calendar now for this fun-filled day at Gammelgården, the Scandia Community Center, and around town. Below are the activities that will be happening at Gammelgården on Saturday, January 25, 2025:

Gammelgården Museum and Scandia Heritage Alliance Offer Free Family Activities at Scandia Vinterfest 2025

EVENT OVERVIEW

— Historic Fur Trading Exhibit from the Minnesota Historical Society— Sled Dogs and Raptors – Meet-and-Greet— Dala Horse Puzzle Tournament— Kubb Tournament – an Ancient Viking Game for Prizes— Play-to-Win Board and Card Games— Kids Cozy Fort with a Dance Party and Children’s Winter Storytime at the Gazebo— Bonfire— Gammelgården Butik (Gift Shop) Open

10 am – 4 pm ALL DAYView the historic fur trading display from the Minnesota Historical Society and shop at Gammelgården Butik (Gift Shop).

10 am – 2 pm
SLED DOGS MEET-AND-GREET – Outside the Välkommen Hus (big red Welcome House)Meet the sled dogs from Northern Pines Sled Dog Association.

10:30 am – 12 pmDALA HORSE PUZZLE TOURNAMENT – Välkommen Hus 2nd Floor (big red Welcome House)Eight teams of up to four people compete to be the first to complete a 500-piece puzzle featuring Dala horses in Gammelgården Mueum’s collection. Check-in at 10:15 am with the tournament starting at 10:30am.1st, 2nd and 3rd Place prizes will be awarded for the Dala Horse Puzzle Tournament.Must pre-register at https://tinyurl.com/2025puzzlecompetition. Registration is FULL. Spectators are welcome!

10:30 am – 3:00 pmKUBB TOURNAMENT (ANCIENT VIKING GAME) CHECK-IN AND REGISTRATION – Välkommen Hus (big red Welcome House) 1st FloorKUBB TOURNAMENT FOR PRIZES: An Ancient Viking Game – Gammelgården Museum BackyardMust pre-register on Eventbrite.

12:30 pm – 3:30 pmPLAY-TO-WIN BOARD AND CARD GAMES – Välkommen Hus 2nd Floor (big red Welcome House)Play a variety of board and card games. There are games for all ages and abilities. Enter your name in a drawing to win your favorite game. All children and teens must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Sponsored by Scandia Electric.

1:30 pm – 2:00 pmTODDLER DANCE PARTY – Gazebo

2:00 pmCHILDREN’S WINTER STORYTIME – Gazebo

2:00 pm – 4:00 pmMEET THE RAPTORS from the Wildlife Research Center – Outside Välkommen Hus (big red Welcome House)Presentations at 2 pm and 3 pm.

*** Activity sponsors include Gammelgården Museum, Scandia Heritage Alliance, CS Garage, Scandia Dental, Scandia Electric, Loon Holistic Health, and Smilies Sewer Service. **

Fur Trade in Minnesota Exhibit
2025-01-25 10:00 - 16:00 | Gammelgarden Museum of Scandia, 20880 Olinda Trail North, Scandia, MN, 55073, United States
Explore the fascinating people and places of Minnesota’s first global business in “Fur Trade in Minnesota,” a new traveling exhibit from the Minnesota History Center on Saturday, January 25, 2025, at Gammelgården Museum.

Hundreds of years ago, Minnesota played a key role in the fur trade, which stretched across five continents. Visitors to the exhibit can lift a 45-pound Voyageur’s pack, learn how the fur trade shaped Ojibwe art, and discover how beaver pelts could be transformed into sleek, stately hats that were all the rage among wealthy Europeans.

“Fur Trade in Minnesota” will be on view for only one day during Vinterfest from 10 am – 4 pm.

“Fur Trade in Minnesota” was created by the Minnesota History Center’s “Exhibits to Go” program which brings Minnesota history to communities statewide.

“Exhibits to Go” is made possible by the Legacy Amendment’s Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund through the vote of Minnesotans on November 4, 2008.

Dala Horse Puzzle Tournament
2025-01-25 10:30 - 12:00 | Gammelgarden Museum of Scandia, 20880 Olinda Trail North, Scandia, MN, 55073, United States
Dala Horse Puzzle Tournament

Join us for a fun-filled morning of puzzle-solving and friendly competition. Test your skills and see if you have what it takes to be crowned the puzzle champion. Whether you’re a puzzle enthusiast or just looking for a good time, this event is perfect for all ages. Don’t miss out on the chance to win some amazing prizes and bragging rights. See you there!
Information about the Tournament
– There will be 8 teams (of up to 4 people per team) who pre-register for the tournament. Registration will close when the spots are filled.
· Check-in on Saturday, January 25th will be inside the Welcome House (Valkommen Hus – the big red building) at Gammelgården. Only one team member needs to stand in line to register.
· Seating begins 10 minutes before the scheduled start time of the contest. No early seating will be allowed.
· Teams get to keep the puzzle they worked on. More copies of the 2025 Dala horse puzzle plus other puzzles will be available for purchase during Vinterfest and the Puzzle Tournament in Gammelgården Museum’s Butik (Gift Shop).
· No early starts! If you open your box and begin your puzzle before the start of the contest, you will be disqualified.
· Hands only! There can be no use of any puzzle tools, cutting devices, flashlights, or phones.
· Use of table risers is not permitted and is grounds for disqualification.
· Judges will be monitoring the area and watching as teams get close to finishing. When your team is close to finishing, raise your hand and a judge will come to your table to watch you finish and record your time.
· Winners will be announced immediately following the competition.
· Prizes will be awarded to the top 3 teams.

Play-to-Win Board and Card Games
2025-01-25 12:30 - 15:30 | Gammelgarden Museum of Scandia, 20880 Olinda Trail North, Scandia, MN, 55073, United States
Spend part of your afternoon trying out new board and card games. Some games you may be familiar with and others may be new or little-known ones. There are games for all ages and abilities.
After you play a game, you may enter your name in a drawing to win your favorite game.
All children and teens must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
There is no cost for this event!
Sponsored by Scandia Electric.

Closed for the Season
2025-01-26 - 2025-05-02 | Gammelgarden Museum of Scandia, 20880 Olinda Trail North, Scandia, MN, 55073, United States
Gammelgården Museum will be closed for the season from December 22, 2024-January 24, 2025.
It will open for one day on January 25, 2025, for Vinterfest.
The museum will be closed again from January 26-May 2, 2025; and will be reopen on May 3rd for the 2025 season.

NAMI Minnesota Mindful Creations Support Group
2025-02-19 10:15 - 12:15, 2025-03-19 10:15 - 12:15, 2025-04-16 10:15 - 12:15, 2025-05-21 10:15 - 12:15 | Gammelgarden Museum of Scandia, 20880 Olinda Trail North, Scandia, MN, 55073, United States
NAMI MC flyer_Gammelgården Museum of Scandia

NAMI Minnesota Mindful Creations Support Group, is a group that focuses on building resiliency and strengthening mental well-being through education, creative expression through art, and the support of others in a safe and confidential environment.

Each meeting will focus on one mental health topic and include a brief educational session, a hands-on art activity, and group discussion.

There is no cost for the support groups. To register, email your first and last name to sgc@namimn.org

Tour Guide Training
2025-04-26 10:00 - 13:00 | Gammelgarden Museum of Scandia, 20880 Olinda Trail North, Scandia, MN, 55073, United States
Join new and returning tour guides for training. Learn about new changes and updates to the tour schedule, signage at the museum, and exciting new projects and activities that will be happening in 2025.

Season Opening Day
2025-05-03 10:00 - 16:00 | Gammelgarden Museum of Scandia, 20880 Olinda Trail North, Scandia, MN, 55073, United States
Season Opening Day marks the first day of the 2025 season. This family-friendly, free event will feature many exciting activities and exhibits!
From 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.:

· View new exhibits in the Welcome House (Välkommen Hus): “Explore the World of Immigrants,” “Scandinavian Fish and Fishing,” and “Birch: Art & Function.”

· See the historic buildings and look for some artifacts that have not been displayed before.

· Visit Little Blue’s Traveling Zoo by Gammelgården’s barn, and see and touch a variety of farm animals.

· See and touch popular nineteenth-century games, hosted by costumed interpreters from the Living History Society of Minnesota.

· Do hands-on historical activities by each of the buildings.

· Shop at the Arts, Crafts, and Vendor Fair. Participating vendors include:
– Apothecary’s Daughter
– Carol’s Stained Glass (Carol Eggers)
– J&K Legacy Art
– Marine Maple Syrup
– My Inspired Memories
– Sara Tennis – Artisan
– Scandia Butik (Gammelgården’s gift shop – inside the Welcome House)
– Scandia Sister City Council
– Susan Rae’s Woodworking
– T’s Crafts

· Watch artists do demonstrations throughout the day including:

– Kim Garrett – Rosemaling – Kim has studied with several Vesterheim Gold Medal-winning rosemaling instructors. She also studied with master artists in Norway and Sweden. Kim’s goal is to bring together a blend of traditional Scandinavian folk art with modern techniques and point of view.

– Laila and Kate from Knit & Gather.

– Minnesota Lace Society.

– Natalie Norman – Embroidery – Natalie will display samples of needlework on kjolsackor as well as demonstrate embroidery work.

– Scandinavian Weavers Study Group.
– Ronna Thorson – NorskAtelier – Rosemaling.

· Visit with organizations that have displays and information about immigrants and pioneers who were in Minnesota at the same time that Swedish immigrants were moving and settling in the state:

– French-American Heritage Foundation of Minnesota.

– Minnesota African American Heritage Museum and Gallery.

– Polish American Cultural Institute of Minnesota.

· Shop in Gammelgården’s gift shop (Butik) and see all the new products for 2025!

· Visit with the Minnesota Genealogical Society and learn how to research your family’s ancestors.

· Toddler dance party hosted by Loon Holistic Health at 11 a.m.

· Historic fashion show by the Living History Society of Minnesota at 1 p.m.

· Learn about volunteer opportunities at Gammelgården.

· Temporary tattoos for kids.

· Tasty treats – taste a sample of what food in the 1800s would have tasted like!

· Learn about the many restoration and accessibility projects happening at Gammelgården this year.

· Food and beverages on site for purchase.

· Play-to-Win Games sponsored in part by Envoy and Scandia Electric.
· Check out a sensory kit, if needed. (The museum has kits for both children and adults.)

History & Heritage Book Club
2025-05-09 10:30 - 12:00 | Gammelgarden Museum of Scandia, 20880 Olinda Trail North, Scandia, MN, 55073, United States
Gammelgården Museum is launching a new program in 2025, History & Heritage Book Club!

From May through December 2025, we will be exploring 8 books related to Nordic history and heritage; and Swedish lifestyles and traditions. There are both fiction and non-fiction books; and authors from the United States and Sweden.

Join other book lovers every second Friday of the month from 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM. The History & Heritage Book Club will be held at Gammelgården Museum at 20880 Olinda Trail North, Scandia, MN 55073. Don’t miss this opportunity to connect with others in the community who love to read and want to discover some great books!

2025 Book List (for a book description, visit the History & Heritage Book Club group on Facebook:
May – Swede Hollow by Ola Larsmo – *F
June – The Open-Air Life by Linda Åkeson McGurk – *N
July – The Lagom Life – A Swedish Way of Living by Elisabeth Carlsson – *N
August – The Sisterhood of the Enchanted Forest by Naomi Moriyama and William Doyle – N
September – Giants in the Earth – A Saga of the Prairie by O.E. Rölvaag – F
October – My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She’s Sorry by Fredrik Backman – *F
November – The Rocks Will Echo Our Sorrow – The Forced Displacement of the Northern Sámi by Elin Anna Labba – *N
December – The Palace of the Snow Queen – Winter Travels in Lapland and Sápmi by Barbara Sjoholm – N
* – Swedish, Sámi, or Swedish-American author
F – Fiction
N – Non-Fiction

Please let the museum know you will be attending the book club, be emailing: director@gammelgardenmuseum.org
Phone: (651) 433-5053
Facebook Group: History & Heritage Book Club

Fiber Arts Club
2025-05-14 10:30 - 12:30 | Gammelgarden Museum of Scandia, 20880 Olinda Trail North, Scandia, MN, 55073, United States
The Fiber Arts Club at Gammelgården Museum will meet from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on the second Wednesday of each month. Bring a project you’re working on, and join in conversation and community. This is a relaxing gathering for people with projects in progress or in the planning stages.

This is the perfect opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals and work on your small projects in knitting, crocheting, hand sewing, needlefelting, mending, embroidery, cross stitching, tatting, weaving, needlepoint, lacemaking, macrame, spinning, rug hooking, string art, or any other fiber art.

The club offers people a chance to work on projects, learn new skills, get opinions on projects, and make suggestions to others. It’s a great way to make progress on your creative endeavors.

IMPORTANT FOR THIS GROUP – PLEASE READ:
1. Smaller projects only due to limited room size. So, unless it can fit in your lap (such as the beginning of a project), please leave larger projects like afghans, large sweaters, etc. at home.
2. Small supply totes only. Keep large needlework bags, boxes of supplies, etc. at home. There is not enough table and floor space to support items of that size.
3. Work on a project that you bring to the Fiber Arts Club. Making progress on your project while chit-chatting is the purpose of the group and respect for others’ productivity is important.
4. Any coffee, tea, or soda/pop must be covered.

Drop Off Items for the Garage Sale
2025-05-15 11:00 - 15:00, 2025-05-16 11:00 - 15:00, 2025-05-17 11:00 - 15:00, 2025-05-18 13:30 - 15:30 | Gammelgarden Museum of Scandia, 20880 Olinda Trail North, Scandia, MN, 55073, United States
Gammelgården is accepting high-quality new and used items to sell during the Community-wide Garage Sale that will be held on May 29th-31st. Proceeds from the items sold will be used to support the museum’s restoration projects and events. Items can be dropped off on May 15th, 16th, and 17th from 11-3 and on May 18th from 1:30-3.

Introduction to Crocheting
2025-05-17 12:30 - 15:30 | Gammelgarden Museum of Scandia, 20880 Olinda Trail North, Scandia, MN, 55073, United States
This beginning-level course is wonderful for those who want to learn how to crochet, but need some guidance about how to start. It also is a great class for those who have crocheted many years ago and need a little encouragement to get back into it.
First, you learn about the best hooks and yarn and then you work on a simple square pattern of single crochet stitches that you can be made into a dishcloth, hot pad, or cup cozy. Cara helps students troubleshoot any issues and learn to make those perfect edges. Once the basic stitch is understood, students may move on to other stitches and projects.
Materials that are supplied:

Cotton blend yarn
Crochet hook
Stitch markers
Printed pattern

Age Requirement:

Students ages 10 and older may attend this class. Ages 10-15 must register with another registered adult.
Registration:
Sign up here: https://tinyurl.com/crochetingatGG
Cancellation Policy:
Up to 3 weeks before the event – 50% refund. Under 3 weeks before the event, no refunds.
About the Artist:
​Hello! I’m Cara. I started my career as a features writer for newspapers and magazines, but eventually realized I wanted to expand my work into my lifelong passion for crafting. I have always been inspired by my crafty and thrifty grandmother, Mary Marie Mason, who taught me how important it was to take time out to make something with your hands. Now I design patterns, teach classes, and sell my handmade items.
In my knitting and crochet classes, my goal is to build confidence in beginners by starting with chunky knit projects you can finish in one class. Once you’ve mastered that project, you can move on to smaller and smaller needles and yarn. I love the moments when it clicks for students.
More fun facts: I grew up in Kansas, then lived in Des Moines, IA, Boulder, CO, and the San Francisco Bay Area before moving to Saint Paul, MN with my husband, Mike. We have two great kids, Harper and Max.

Gammelgården Museum Silent Book Club
2025-05-18 13:30 - 15:30 | Gammelgarden Museum of Scandia, 20880 Olinda Trail North, Scandia, MN, 55073, United States
The Gammelgården Museum Silent Book Club meets on the third Sunday of each month from May through November from 1:30-3:30 p.m.
Bring your favorite book from home to read, choose one from Gammelgården’s non-lending library (there are books in English and Swedish), or purchase a book in the Butik (the museum’s gift shop).

There will be 30 minutes to choose your book/get settled, 1 hour of reading time, and then 30 minutes to talk with one another, continue reading, look at the museum’s exhibits and displays, shop in the gift shop, or leave and go home to recharge.

Visit the Gammelgården Museum Silent Book Club Facebook Group to be a part of the club.

Mors Dag (Mother's Day) in Sweden
2025-05-25 | MN
Glad Mors Dag (glawd mohrs dawg) or Happy Mother’s Day!
In Sweden, Mother’s Day is celebrated on the last Sunday in May. Mothers in Sweden prefer to receive fresh flowers or gifts, and breakfast in bed.
Spend Mother’s Day honoring or remembering your mother by walking the museum grounds, seeing what’s in bloom, going on an afternoon tour of the historic buildings, or seeing the current art exhibit (Swedish Folk Painting – Tradition and Innovation).

Community-Wide Garage Sale
2025-05-29 10:00 - 16:00, 2025-05-30 10:00 - 16:00, 2025-05-31 10:00 - 16:00 | Gammelgarden Museum of Scandia, 20880 Olinda Trail North, Scandia, MN, 55073, United States
Gammelgården Museum will be participating in Scandia’s Community-Wide Garage Sale. This is your opportunity to purchase items that have been donated to the museum. Proceeds from the sale will be used to support Gammelgården’s events and restoration projects.

Children's Storytime
2025-06-05 10:30 - 11:00 | Gammelgarden Museum of Scandia, 20880 Olinda Trail North, Scandia, MN, 55073, United States
New to Gammelgården this year is children’s storytime! This program will be hosted weekly on Thursday’s at 10:30 am in the classroom upstairs.

This is a great opportunity for you and your family to partake in early literacy in your community. Early literacy programs are not designed to teach young children how to read, rather they focus on developing skills through stories.

Storytime is designed to introduce your little one to stories, songs, rhyming, and other kids. Storytime often includes one to two read-alouds with one to two interactive songs, rhymes, or activities.

Storytime will be hosted by Grace Taylor. Grace will graduate with a Master’s in Library and Information Sciences from St. Kate’s in August 2025 and has taken multiple courses in Children’s Materials and Services.

National Day in Sweden
2025-06-06 | MN
National Day is a day when Swedes celebrate the memory of the election of the nation’s founding father, Gustav Vasa, on June 6, 1523.
It was also on this day that a new constitution was adopted in 1809. The name was changed to Swedish Flag Day in 1983, but it wasn’t until 2005 that it became an official public holiday.
On National Day in Sweden, people enjoy Fika with friends, sing, dance, and attend village events in the town square.

Contemporary Tapestry Weaving
2025-06-07 10:30 - 12:00 | Gammelgarden Museum of Scandia, 20880 Olinda Trail North, Scandia, MN, 55073, United States
Learn the basics of tapestry weaving to create a small wall hanging from Sandra Brick. Use a variety of colorful, textured materials like bulky yarn and wool roving. Get fancy with fringe, loops, and color blocking to create a weaving that is as unique as you are!
Sandra Brick is a trainer, coach, and educator with over 21 years of experience with the Textile Center both as an instructor and former Board member. She has designed and developed 35+ workshops and courses in a diverse range of workshop topics such as fabric dyeing, design theory, beading, creative problem solving, and technology workshops for artists. Brick’s explorations in new materials and techniques have inspired her innovative body of work in surface design, stitching and mixed media, which has been widely exhibited. facebook.com/TE.SandraBrick/
Register HERE for the Contemporary Tapestry Weaving class.

Crocheted Granny Squares
2025-06-07 12:30 - 15:30 | Gammelgarden Museum of Scandia, 20880 Olinda Trail North, Scandia, MN, 55073, United States
Get inspired by the fiber arts trend that’s always in style: Crocheted Granny Squares! These simple-to-make crocheted squares can be used alone or multiplied to make everything from small purses to sweaters to large shawls!
Cara Corey will teach you basic crocheting skills needed to create a Granny Square. Once you learn the pattern, see where your creativity takes you. All are welcome – no crocheting experience is necessary.
Class fee $50, supply fee $15
Register through EventBrite at https://tinyurl.com/grannysquares2025
Cancellation Policy:
Up to 3 weeks before the event – 50% refund. Under 3 weeks before the event, no refunds.
