Erlander Home Museum

The Erlander Home Museum is a cultural centerpiece of Rockford's Swedish ancestry community. The Erlander Home Museum is located in Rockford's first brick home, built by John and IngaStina Erlander family in 1871. Restored to its original Victorian decor, the twelve-room home features collections that include Rockford-made furniture, a renowned collection of more than 50 dolls created by Charlotte Weibull and many artifacts recalling Swedish immigration to northern Illinois and Rockford's Swedish heritage. The Museum is located within the historic Haight Village of Rockford.
Collections also include Rockford-made furniture and many artifacts recalling Swedish immigration to northern Illinois and Rockford's Swedish heritage.
Collections also include Rockford-made furniture and many artifacts recalling Swedish immigration to northern Illinois and Rockford's Swedish heritage.
All tours are guided and tours begin at the Nordic Cultural Center, located at 327 S. 3rd Street, Rockford, IL 61104.
Cost of admission is $10 for non-members. Admission is free for members and children 4 and under.
The Museum is open for tours on Wednesdays and also by appointment. For a full list of tour times, please visit the Events page.
Call 815-963-5559 to reserve your tour or email [email protected]. Please allow one week advanced notice time for requesting additional tour times, as tours are subject to volunteer and/or staff availability. The Erlander Home is currently not handicapped accessible.
The Swedish Historical Society has reciprocating museum membership agreements with Swedish American Museum of Chicago, IL and Swedish Institute of Minneapolis, MN. The Swedish Historical Society is also a participant in the Time Travelers program and offers a 50% discount on admission for those included in that program.
Cost of admission is $10 for non-members. Admission is free for members and children 4 and under.
The Museum is open for tours on Wednesdays and also by appointment. For a full list of tour times, please visit the Events page.
Call 815-963-5559 to reserve your tour or email [email protected]. Please allow one week advanced notice time for requesting additional tour times, as tours are subject to volunteer and/or staff availability. The Erlander Home is currently not handicapped accessible.
The Swedish Historical Society has reciprocating museum membership agreements with Swedish American Museum of Chicago, IL and Swedish Institute of Minneapolis, MN. The Swedish Historical Society is also a participant in the Time Travelers program and offers a 50% discount on admission for those included in that program.
Temporary Special Exhibit by the Swedish American Museum, An Ocean Apart: Swedish Immigrant Letters

We are honored to be temporarily hosting the Swedish American Museum's special exhibit, An Ocean Apart: Swedish Immigrant Letters, for the month of March at Nordic Cultural Center!
More than one million Swedes left their homeland between 1850 and 1930. Though they left their home country behind for opportunities abroad, many continued to keep close ties to their family and friends back in Sweden. Few historical texts are as interesting and compelling as personal letters. They offer an insight into the lives of early 20th century Swedish immigrants and reveal how they shared many of the same kinds of hopes, interests and even humor that we have today. The letters also give us a look into the past from personal and individual points of view.
This exhibit is presented by the Swedish Historical Society, ancestors and donors: Emil Schmeling (Schmeling Construction), Barbara Lunde (Lunde Family), Josephine & Sven Rydholm (Anderson Family), Abel & Esther Anderson (Burden Family), Alma & Eskel Olson (Bieschke Family).
To set up a tour of the Erlander Home Museum and to view this exhibit, please call 815-963-5559 or email [email protected]!
More than one million Swedes left their homeland between 1850 and 1930. Though they left their home country behind for opportunities abroad, many continued to keep close ties to their family and friends back in Sweden. Few historical texts are as interesting and compelling as personal letters. They offer an insight into the lives of early 20th century Swedish immigrants and reveal how they shared many of the same kinds of hopes, interests and even humor that we have today. The letters also give us a look into the past from personal and individual points of view.
This exhibit is presented by the Swedish Historical Society, ancestors and donors: Emil Schmeling (Schmeling Construction), Barbara Lunde (Lunde Family), Josephine & Sven Rydholm (Anderson Family), Abel & Esther Anderson (Burden Family), Alma & Eskel Olson (Bieschke Family).
To set up a tour of the Erlander Home Museum and to view this exhibit, please call 815-963-5559 or email [email protected]!