Seeking Stories, Photos, and Artwork About Immigrants

 

2026 marks the 250th anniversary of the United States, and Gammelgården Museum is seeking 250 stories, photographs, poems, and/or artwork that represent a breadth of experiences and diverse narratives about how immigrants have shaped the history of Minnesota and/or Scandia.

Anyone of any age may participate in this community project – from a child to a senior citizen!

The stories, photos, poems, and/or artwork do not have to be about widely recognized immigrants or those in leadership positions. Rather, we are looking for everyday individuals who have immigrated to Minnesota and have positively impacted your or your family’s life in some way. These are individuals who are often left out of the traditional historical narrative, whether they are living or have died. They can be someone in your family, someone you go to school or work with, a business owner or artist you support, or someone you have never met but are inspired by them.

Immigrants may have come to Minnesota to seek better economic opportunities and a higher standard of living, to reunite with family members, to pursue high-quality education, and/or to find refuge from political persecution, violence, or social instability. Immigrants also include youth or adults who were adopted from another country as children or teens and now live in Scandia or Minnesota.

We want to hear and see all of these stories, and honor these individuals who have shaped our community and state! Our goal is to combine these stories, photographs, poems, and artwork into an exhibit and/or book that celebrates immigrants and their positive impact on Minnesota and Scandia.

To do this, we need to receive items by May 31, 2026, via email at director@gammelgardenmuseum.org or by USPS at Gammelgården Museum, P.O. Box 62, Scandia, MN 55073.

For items shipped by UPS or Fed Ex, please use the museum’s

street address: Gammelgården Museum, 20880 Olinda

Trail North, Scandia, MN 55073.