Tree Lighting in Sweden
The Sweden Historical Society (SHS) invites community members from the area to gather and celebrate the onset of winter together. Sweden’s annual Lighting of the Evergreen will take place Saturday, November 30th on the village green starting at 5 pm.
Following the tree lighting, renowned organist George Weiss will lead a carol sing at the Sweden Community Church, where refreshments will be served. SHS will have a holiday exhibit on display in its historic brick schoolhouse.
Thanks to a special donation and support from the town’s fire department these festivities are free and open to the public. The church’s Food Pantry will be accepting donations of nonperishable items.
Sweden Days Schedule
Thursday, August 1
9 a.m. Charlie and Evelyn Bennett Memorial Hike, led by Miriam Gibely and Kay Lyman, to explore Sweden settler Jacob Stevens’ cellar hole and the Stevens Cemetery.
Learn more at: https://swedenmaine.org/about sweden/town-history;
To sign up or FMI, contact Miriam at (207) 647-2842.
5 p.m. Keyes Pond Environmental Protection Association (KPEPA) annual meeting and pot luck supper at the Sweden Town Meeting House; Speaker is Lee Attix, a biologist and loon expert.
Friday, August 2
10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Historic House Tour, Gibbons residence (c.1828), 42 Plummer School Road, Sweden. Tickets $10
7 p.m. Talent Show, Sweden Town Hall, MC Vreni Hommes; to sign up for a slot, contact Rebecca at rwbuyers@gmail.com
Saturday, August 3
9:30 a.m. Teresa Hall and Linda Whiting, Early 20th Century Crafts; Bob Spencer reading from his trilogy of historical novels; Sweden Conservation Commission Booth; SHS Schoolhouse yard.
9:55 a.m. Church Bell Ringing, followed by dedication of a SHS plaque honoring the late Stan Brown; churchyard.
10:30 a.m. Chair Yoga with Elizabeth Markey, Meeting House.
11:30 a.m. Jeff Dalzell, Painting class, Meeting House.
7 p.m. Contra Dance with caller Kathryn Larson and musicians Birds on a Wire: Greg, Jenny Huang-Dale and Jeanine Lubier, by donation; Meeting House.
Sunday, August 4
10:30 a.m. Sweden Community Church Service; Jane Gibbons, officiating; Jo Radner to tell stories of Food Pantry patrons; in memoriam for Stan Brown, Shirley Crowe, Wayne Miller, David Sundwall
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Sweden Days 2024
Enjoy the experience of the whole weekend on our Events page.
Click here to see all the photos and watch videos from the ever entertaining Talent Show.
A Buggy Bungle
How a carriage was preserved for 200 years
In 1810, according to local lore, a resident of New Suncook Plantation (as Sweden and Lovell were then known) built a buggy – an open four-wheeled horse drawn carriage. How that particular buggy, which would be 214 years old if that date is accurate, remains intact, is a story of care, charity and some conjecture.
Bits of the Past
Check out the Bits of the Past tab above for small pieces of Sweden’s history.
Our Book
Our book, Living, Learning, and Worshiping, is the culmination of a research project launched in 2012 to celebrate the town of Sweden’s bicentennial in 2013. Featuring full color photographs, maps, and period newspaper excerpts, it offers a concise, readable record of the town’s existing antique buildings and first families.
The book is $20 and available at the Sweden Town Office or may be ordered online (plus $5.25 postage).
Other items for sale:
Sweden tees, $20
Sweatshirts, $40
Support the Sweden Historical Society with a membership
Help advance our mission by becoming a SHS member
Open Saturdays
The Society’s Schoolhouse Museum is open to the public on Saturdays, 9 to 12 a.m. June 1 -September 28.
Drop in to see current exhibits or get help researching an historical topic.
