Swedish Cultural Society, Rockford Chapter Records, 1951-2005 | Northern Illinois University

On December 15, 1950 twenty people of Swedish decent met in the Rockford home of Axel Rehnberg to see if there was enough interest to form their own chapter of the Swedish Cultural Society in America.  On February 4, 1951 they held their first official meeting at which bylaws were adopted and officers were elected, with Mr. Rehnberg chosen as President.  The purpose of their organization was “to create a bond between Swedes and Swedish descendants residing in the [Rockford] area.  To rekindle, sustain, and strengthen interest in and love of Swedish culture in its various forms.  To preserve the Swedish language to the greatest possible extent.”  

The Swedish Cultural Society in America was originally organized in 1910 when Augustana College and the Augustana Synod held its 50th anniversary celebration.  In 1920 the Society reorganized and local chapters were established in locations where large Swedish populations existed.  Although Rockford had a large Swedish population it’s chapter was one of the last to be established.  

Over the years the Rockford Chapter met regularly at the Tabor Lutheran Church and held entertaining and informative programs, as well as traveled to joint meetings with the Chicago and Minneapolis Chapters.  Members of the Rockford Chapter also attended meetings of the Central Swedish Committee in Chicago.  

As with many organizations of this type, as the members grew older the society saw its numbers decrease.  At the November 5, 2005 Board of Director’s meeting, Betty Rottman, the Society’s President for the previous five years, resigned.  In the discussion which followed the board noted that all of the board’s members had served for many years as there were no other members willing or able to do so, and that attendance at the meetings was dwindling.  It seemed that this might be the proper time to disband.  A letter was sent to all the members of the group inviting their vote on the issue of disbanding at the November 13th meeting.  A vote was taken on the motion to disband and the majority of the twenty-two people in attendance voted in favor.