Volunteer at Gammelgården Museum of Scandia! There are many ways to share your talents:
Become a Tour Guide. Our tour guides are trained and scheduled at their convenience to lead groups, school children, or individuals through our historic buildings. Tours are scheduled from May through mid-October.
Assist with Children’s Programs and Activities. Help or teach children simple art projects, crafts, and other activities at public events, field trips, and classes.
Be a Greeter. Welcome visitors to Gammelgården and answer their questions.
Help in the Butik. Arrange and style merchandise; assist customers in finding just the right item to remember their time at Gammelgården; and complete transactions. Contact Linnea in the Butik for more information at 651-433-5053.
Be on the Gammelgården Garden Team. Prepare, plant, and weed the museum’s vegetable, fruit, and herb garden; medicinal garden; and dye garden.
Assist with events such as the Open House, Midsommardagen, Spelmansstämman, Taco Daze, Running of the Meatballs, Annie’s Coffee Parties, and Luciadagen. Help with set-up and take-down, food, and activities.
To help with the demonstrations and children’s activities, see the “Assist with Children’s Programs” sign-up above.
Help with building and grounds maintenance, and general museum projects. Throughout the year, volunteers assist with keeping the buildings and grounds looking well-maintained and beautiful for guests. This can include dusting, vacuuming, organizing, and historic preservation as well as other tasks depending on the time of the year.
Questions? Contact us today! Call 651-433-5053 or email volunteer@gammelgardenmuseum.org
Stay Informed Via Email
We would like to have you on our e-mail list so we can send you our e-newsletter, the Kul News.
Fill out the forms below to be added to our e-mail list.
Subscribe to Kul News
Past Issues of the Kul News
Did you miss a past issue of the Kul News? Read about the happenings at Gammelgården Museum in the issues of the Kul News below.
2025
2024
December 2024
November 2024
October 2024
September 2024
August 2024
July 2024
June 2024
May 2024
April 2024
March 2024
February 2024
January 2024
2023
December 2023
Mid-November 2023
Early-November 2023
October 2023
September 2023
August 2023
Mid-June 2023
Early-June 2023
Late-April 2023
Early-April 2023
March 2023
2022
December 2022
August 2022
June 2022
May 2022
April 2022
February 2022
2021
December 2021
November 2021
October 2021
September 2021
Mid-August 2021
Early-August 2021
July 2021
June 2021
April 2021
March 2021
2020
Stay Informed Via Mail
We would like to have you on our mailing list. Much of what we produce in way of communication will be sent by email (such as Kul News or event invites), but we also have a physical mailing list for periodic mailings for the gift shop and museum news.
Fill out the forms below to be added to our mailing list.
Be on the Mailing List
Opportunities for Artists and Students
2025 has many opportunities for artists (professional and hobbyists) and students (public, private, charter, and homeschool). See below for more information.
Artists & Crafters Fair and Demonstration Area at Major Events
Gammelgården Museum of Scandia would like to extend an invitation to individuals who would like to be demonstrators, sell their products, and/or have an information table at any or all of Gammelgården’s major events this summer:
– Opening Day (May 3, 2025)
– Midsommardagen (June 28, 2025)
– Spelmansstämman (August 16, 2025)
You are welcome to do demonstrations, hands-on activities with guests, and/or sell items that are in a variety of traditions (e.g., blacksmithing, folk painting, weaving, spinning, embroidery, knitting, crocheting, candlemaking, coopering, tinwork, hide tanning, pottery, copperwork, woodworking, chip carving, sewing, quilting, bookmaking, photography) or related to heirloom gardening and nature.
All the proceeds you make at the event are yours to keep…Gammelgården does not take a percentage of what you earn.
All participants bring their own tables, chairs, tent, and other supplies. Gammelgården provides the space.
Although there is no fee for being at any of the event(s), we appreciate it if you consider becoming a member of the museum. Membership fees provide the funds to offer the events at no cost to the public, which – in turn – means a larger potential customer base for vendors.
Below are the forms for 2025:
2025 Guidelines for Event Vendors and Demonstrators
2025 Artists Crafters Businesses and NonProfit Application Form
2025 Junior Guides
Students who have graduated from 6th grade through college volunteer as assistants and historical characters at the many events at Gammelgården Museum of Scandia during the spring and summer seasons.
At the popular Opening Day Weekend (Saturday, May 3rd), Midsommardagen (Saturday, June 28th), and Spelmansstämman (Saturday, August 16th), Junior Guides involve visitors with 19th-century immigrant life on this small farm in Scandia. They provide guidance to children who are packing a trunk at the Stuga for their journey to America, assist with “milking” cows at the barn, show children how to make butter, help children carry water at the Immigrant Hus, and guide visitors as they learn how laundry was done at the parsonage. Junior Guides also teach visitors Swedish folk dances and school recess games, plus how to make flower wreaths.
In addition to festivals, Junior Guides can learn gardening skills by working in Gammelgarden’s many gardens, maintain the bluebird house trail, and help create videos for Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook.
For those wanting to volunteer during the school year, there are weekend events throughout the fall and winter including craft workshops, Annie’s Coffee Parties, and Luciadagen.
If this sounds like something you would enjoy, email Gammelgården’s Volunteer Coordinator at volunteer@gammelgardenmuseum.org to sign up as a Junior Guide and get more information.
Spring/Summer Internship for 2025
If you are a college student or recent college graduate looking to explore the field of non-profit management or work in a history museum setting, Gammelgården’s internship program may be worth exploring! Gammelgården selects one student each year to provide a workplace-based guided learning opportunity that gives a student hands-on experience in a wide range of fields.
Visit this link for more information: Gammelgarden Intern Job Description.
If the internship sounds like a good fit, email Gammelgården’s Director, Ann Rinkenberger, at director@gammelgardenmuseum.org with your resume and letter of interest by April 2, 2025.
NOTE: The 2025 Spring/Summer Internship positions have been filled. Please check back in January or February 2026 for information about the 2026 internship(s) that will be available. A good way to stay informed about this opportunity is by signing up to be on the museum’s e-newsletter list.
Employment Opportunities
Gammelgården is expanding its staff in 2025! The following positions will be available this season:
- Development Director (part-time contract) – Development Director Job Description
Please contact Ann at director@gammelgardenmuseum.org for more information and/or to submit your resume.
For those not seeking employment but are interested in being involved with the museum, Gammelgården also welcomes adult volunteers and Junior Guides (6th graders-college students).
Membership Options
Since 1972, members of the Gammelgården Museum of Scandia have provided support to help bring our mission alive. Through the generosity of our members, Gammelgården can honor the Swedish immigrants who founded the community.
Member support helps make the events, programs, and classes offered by the museum accessible and affordable to all. If you are not a member, please consider becoming a member today! As a member, you receive benefits all year long, including free guided tours, 10% discount at the Gammelgården Museum of Scandia Butik, special pricing for select events and classes, and more depending on your membership level.
Supporter
$45 – Individual
$60 – Family
• 10% discount at Scandia Butik
• Free guided tours of museum
• Member pricing for select events/classes/workshops
• Membership Appreciation Day
• Access to the Time Travelers Network
Sponsor
$90 – Individual
$120 – Family
• 10% discount at Scandia Butik
• Free guided tours of museum
• Member pricing for select events/classes/workshops
• Membership Appreciation Day
• Two free guest passes per year
• Access to the Time Travelers Network
Advocate
$130 – Individual
$170 – Family
• 10% discount at Scandia Butik
• Free guided tours of museum
• Member pricing for select events/classes/workshops
• Membership Appreciation Day
• Four free guest passes per year
• One free individual Supporter membership, per year, for family member or friend
• Access to the Time Travelers Network
Life
$850 – Individual
$1100 – Family
• 10% discount at Scandia Butik
• Free guided tours of museum
• Member pricing for select events/classes/workshops
• Membership Appreciation Day
• Eight free guest passes per year
• Annual Gammelgarden Christmas ornament
• Annual Director’s Gathering
• Two additional free individual Supporter membership, redeemable within first year of membership in the Life category
• Access to the Time Travelers Network
2024 Capital Campaign
Gammelgården Museum is conducting a $50,000 capital campaign from January 1-December 31, 2024. There are four main components of the campaign: Historical Buildings and Artifacts; Accessibility and Safety: Office Equipment: and Conservation Fund.
Click here to see a PowerPoint presentation about the capital campaign: Gammelgarden Museum’s 2024 Capital Campaign. To read a summary of the main components, please see below.
To make a donation (one time, semi-annual, or monthly), complete a Capital Campaign Donation Form:
Capital Campaign Donation Form – PDF
Capital Campaign Donation Form – Microsoft Word
Email the donation form to Ann at director@gammelgardenmuseum.org or mail it to: Ann Rinkenberger, Director, Gammelgården Museum, P.O. Box 62, Scandia, MN 55073.
Summary of Gammelgården’s 2024 Capital Campaign
HISTORICAL BUILDINGS AND ARTIFACTS
- Restore Some of the Historical Buildings.
- The doors of the Gammelkrykan (Old Church) are warped and the walls are bowing.
- Repaint the artwork on the Stuga door and barn quilt on the Barn.
- Safeguard the Collection.
- The collection consists of over 3,300 artifacts stored in closets, dressers, bins, cardboard boxes, and the basement. Funds from the campaign will help securing appropriate storage for the artifacts.
- Create a Digital Collection Management System.
- Transfer information from paper records to a computer system.
- Complete an inventory of all artifacts and assess their condition.
- Photograph each artifact and share them (along with a description of the artifacts) on a searchable database on the museum’s website and on social media.
ACCESSIBILITY AND SAFETY
- Begin Work on Accessible Pathways to Link All Buildings.
- Replace Ramps on the South and West Sides of the Välkommen Hus (Welcome House).
- Install New Lighting.
- The new system will provide better lighting in the Välkommen Hus (Welcome House) for visitors while protecting the artifacts.
- Install Push Bars on the Välkommen Hus (Welcome House) Doors.
- Create an Emergency Kit including an AED.
- Add Motion-Detector Lights for the Parking Lot.
OFFICE EQUIPMENT
- Provide Work Spaces and Equipment for New and Additional Staff.
- Create a Reference Library.
- Available for visitors, volunteers, and staff.
- Makes available existing reference books and secures new educational resources for people of all ages.
CONSERVATION FUND
- Establish a Conservation Fund.
Reserve funds will be available for ongoing conservation projects to maintain the artifacts. These funds make proactive maintenance possible even in lean. years and protect against the deferral of important restoration projects.
Artifact Donations
Gammelgården Museum of Scandia welcomes donations and appreciates your willingness to share artifacts and their stories. There are guidelines that help you (the donor) and Gammelgården in making the decision to donate. The artifacts we accept need to tell the story of Swedish immigration to Minnesota, especially pre-1850s to mid-1880s, as that is our focus; or relating to the Peter Magnus Nelson family who lived in the Prastgård (Pastor’s Home).
Often, artifacts are presented to us as gifts of love because they represent family members now departed, but much loved and revered. We always are honored to receive the artifact and the story.
Artifacts become the property of Gammelgården, and Gammelgården reserves the right to display and preserve them to the benefit of our mission.
When accepted, the artifacts are carefully described, catalogued, and marked. Donors receive a receipt letter of thanks and a record of items donated with their catalog numbers. Gammelgården does not attach a monetary value to artifact gifts.
The first step to donating an artifact to the museum is to complete the form below and email it to Ann Rinkenberger at director@gammelgardenmuseum.org. Then there will be a conversation between the donor and the director to ascertain if it is an appropriate gift to the museum.
Monetary Donations
When you support Gammelgården Museum, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, you make inspiration and discovery happen. You ensure that the stories of the past are preserved and accessible for generations to come.
Making a monetary gift to the Museum gives vital support where it is needed the most – enhancing programming for the public, preserving our collection, and making our historical resources accessible to all. To do this work, we rely on the support of generous donors like you. Please make a gift today.
Donations may be made online through Square (using the Donate Online button below for a one-time gift).
Donors also may make a donation through Give to the Max/GiveMN (one-time or monthly donation options; methods of payment accepted: credit cards, PayPal, Venmo, Google Pay, and donor-advised funds).
Checks (made payable to Gammelgården Museum of Scandia) should be mailed to:
Gammelgården Museum of Scandia
20880 Olinda Trail North
P.O. Box 62
Scandia, MN 55073
Make sure to check with your employer to see if your company participates in a Employer Matching Gift Program.
Every year, generous corporate and individual sponsors help fund specific Gammelgården Museum programs and capital projects. These contributions are critical to the Museum’s ability to:
(1) maintain and restore its five historic buildings,
(2) provide the community with engaging exhibitions, and
(3) maintain and preserve a collection of over 3,300 artifacts.
The high quality of Museum programs and events directly reflects the generosity of businesses, corporations, and the community.
Leverage the Museum’s Visibility
Support Gammelgården Museum while simultaneously strengthening your company’s position in the region and demonstrating a commitment to the community.
The Museum is one of eight open-air museums throughout Minnesota, and is the only one of this type in Washington County. Focusing on history, art, and culture, Gammelgården is the singular open-air museum devoted to preserving, presenting, and promoting Swedish immigrant heritage in the United States.
Housed in five historic buildings and a visitor center on the historic gammelgården, or old farm, where the community of Scandia was first established, Gammelgården invites visitors to step back in time, experience the stories of Swedish immigrants, and relate them to their own family immigration stories.
Because of its unique programs and focus, Gammelgården is one of the largest tourist attractions in Scandia and northern Washington County, and a viable source of economic development. The demographics of Museum visitors constitute an attractive consumer profile. Sponsoring exhibitions or events allows a business to reach this pool of potential customers, increasing visibility while taking advantage of positive associations the Museum has for the public.
Exhibitions
Exhibition sponsors participate in the presentation of historical and cultural programming. In 2024, Gammelgården will organize approximately 12 exhibitions exploring a wide range of themes, media, and artifacts from its collection. The season exhibit is displayed in the Passage Room of the Welcome House (Valkommen Hus); and smaller exhibitions are shown throughout the Welcome House on its first and second levels.
Community and Special Events
Many unique events are held at Gammelgården Museum each year. Sponsors fund one-time events, annual events (such as Season Opening Day, Midsommardagen, Spelmansstamman, and Luciadagen, Life Member Event, and the Volunteer/Member Appreciation Party), and ongoing series such as Bluegrass & Lemonade.
Gammelgården Museum also has opportunities for businesses, corporations, and organizations to sponsor activities at events (e.g., bringing farm animals in for people to learn about and pet; hands-on arts or crafts activities).
Educational Programming
Education is crucial to encouraging a love of history, art, and culture. Viewing artifacts and artwork from the 1850s-1880s at Gammelgården is enjoyable, but visitors to the Museum have a richer experience when they understand context: how was an item or piece of art created? Why?
Museum programs challenge viewers to witness the world from different perspectives, to learn about cultural history, and to express themselves in creative ways. Sponsors make possible these learning opportunities that stretch the minds, hearts, and souls of people of all ages.
Community Outreach
Thanks to program sponsors, Gammelgården Museum is a resource for the entire Scandia and northern Washington County, and southern Chisago County communities. The Museum provides neighborhood-based history and art programming throughout the region, partnering with other elementary schools in the Forest Lake School District and Stillwater School District as well as charter schools and homeschools; Washington County Libraries; and many assisted living and senior centers.
Sponsor Recognition
Through promotional efforts, Gammelgården strives to achieve the highest possible number of impressions for business and corporate sponsors. The Museum reaches audiences through print ads, distributed print materials, direct mail, monthly electronic newsletter, website postings, social media postings, and press releases.
All sponsorships are for one year and renewable.
Become a Sponsor
Sponsorships may be made by completing the Gammelgården Museum of Scandia Sponsorship Form, writing a check (made payable to Gammelgården Museum of Scandia), and mailing it to:
Gammelgården Museum of Scandia
20880 Olinda Trail North
P.O. Box 62
Scandia, MN 55073
Wishlist – Products
Gammelgarden knows how to stretch a dollar and pinch pennies to make things happen, but sometimes the things we need to take it to the next level are just beyond our reach. We’ve made a list of some of the pressing things we need.
Accessibility
Mobility scooter so that all visitors to Gammelgarden can enjoy museum:
ADA-accessible doors
Building & Grounds/Office
8 ½ X 11 White Copy Paper
Baby wipes
Desktop Fans (2)
Desktop Heater (3)
Disinfectant wipes and spray
Gift Cards To:
Gaylord Archival (for storing and protecting artifacts)
IKEA (for purchasing comfortable chairs and a sofa)
Wal-Mart
Target
Michaels
Joanns
Amazon.com
Menards
Office Supply Store
Prairie Restorations
Landscape Alternatives
Sherwin Williams
Ice melt
Kleenex
Plastic bins (various sizes) to store supplies
Postage stamps
Trash bags (45 Gallon/2 Ml)
Ziploc bags (various sizes – quart and gallon size are the most needed)
Kraft paper gift bags with handles (any size)
2-inch Pro Nylon/Polyester Short Handle Brushes
Surge protectors with long cords
White tissue paper
N95 face masks
Feminine products for the restrooms
Children’s Programming
Air-dry clay (white)
Items for a nature-theme discovery bin:
- Animal skulls
- Animal tracks
- Magnifying glasses
Items for hands-on activities at play area in the Welcome House:
Prizes for children (for use with the scavenger hunt)
Sensory table
Weaving loom (Need 6)
Events
Beeswax sheets and candle wicks for making rolled candles (10 sets)
Large round wooden spools
Jenga (large/yard size)
Oversized lawn games
Workshops and Clubs
Art Supplies for the NAMI Mindful Creations Support Group
Coffee (Starbucks, ground)
Volunteers Program
Small items for special thanks and incentives
Artifacts
Artifacts related to Dalarna, Sweden, from the 1850s-1880s
Swedish and Swedish-American decorative art and textiles
Swedish folkdräkt
Archival material documenting the Swedish immigration experience to Minnesota
Folk art that showcases the skills and vision of Swedish artists, from immigrants of the 1800s to the present day
Personal artifacts and materials that illustrate or describe the lives and stories of Scandia’s Swedish and Swedish-American residents
Fine art relevant to the Swedish experience
Farming and agricultural implements, especially machinery brought to the United States from Sweden or made by the immigrants and/or their descendants
Artifacts showing the life and work of Scandia, Marine-on-St. Croix, or Washington or Chisago County-based Swedish organizations and businesses
A receipt for tax-deduction purposes will be provided with each donation.
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Wish list – Volunteer
Woodworker or handyman to create photo props for public events, props for historic buildings, wood with plexiglass cubes to display some artifacts, and historic-looking building to hold outdoor chairs, tables, and other equipment
Seamstress to create some replica outfits to display in historic buildings and for costumes for children to try on during the free community events.
Memorial Donations
Memorial gifts can be designated for specific purposes or added to the Gammelgården Endowment Fund which provides annual income in perpetuity for operation.
Please make checks payable to Gammelgården Museum of Scandia. In the memo line, note the purpose (e.g., General Operating, Children’s Programs, Scholarships, Endowment Fund, Building Maintenance, Conservation Fund).
Donations should be mailed to:
Gammelgården Museum of Scandia
20880 Olinda Trail North
P.O. Box 62
Scandia, MN 55073
Each monetary gift is acknowledged with a thank you receipt for your tax records.
Online Auction – November 29-December 7, 2025
Gammelgården Museum is having an online auction from November 29-December 7, 2025! Visit the auction site to bid on items that have been generously donated by businesses, organizations, and individuals.
Many thanks to the following auction donors:
- Bell Museum
- Earth Rider Brewery
- Freddy’s Frozen Custard and Steakburgers
- Minnesota Twins
(Donors are as of April 2025. The donor list will be updated as more donations are received.)
All monies raised from the online auction support the museum’s:
- Collection which consists of over 3,300 artifacts. Money raised will help secure museum-quality storage for the artifacts, and be used to restore or repair those artifacts needing immediate attention.
- Historic buildings that require updates and repairs. Ongoing maintenance of the five historic buildings is critical to ensuring their longevity so current and future generations can see and learn from the past.
You can help support the auction and Gammelgården not only by bidding on items, but by sharing the event with family and friends. We are looking forward to a great event!!
Bidding opens at 12:00 noon on November 30th at the online auction link and will close on December 8th at 11:30 pm.