News Release North Platte Public Library
Becoming American: Swedish Pioneers in Nebraska By Laureen Riedesel will be held Friday, June 4th at 12:00 PM at the North Platte Public Library. This is the second in the library’s 2021 noon program series.
Laureen Riedesel, retired Beatrice Library Director, will be speaking on the Swedish Pioneers in Nebraska and their common experiences with other ethnic emigrants.
In the latter half of the 19th century, Swedes were among the largest groups that emigrated to Nebraska. They caught “Amerikafeber” and came to claim their “free land,” full of hope and promise.
The construction of churches and schools followed the building of their soddies and barns. An outstanding example of this pattern can be told through the story of Salem Church in rural Kearney County and the Carter School, originally located in Harlan County. These National Register of Historic Places properties are a continuing legacy of the Swedish pioneers in Nebraska.
his program is one of seven Humanities Nebraska programs scheduled this year at the library, with funding provided by Humanities Nebraska and the Nebraska Cultural Endowment, and local funding.
All speaker programs are free and open to the public. Attendees are welcome to bring their lunches. Water will be provided. To help plan chair set-up, please call the library at 535-8036, Ext. 3310 to reserve a seat.