Swedish American Museum

The Brunk Children’s Museum of Immigration is a fully interactive exhibit within the Swedish American Museum that invites children and visitors of all ages to explore the 19th century immigration journey from Sweden to the United States. The museum provides an educational and engaging experience that parallels the immigration journey of many groups who made a new home in the United States during a time of immense growth and change.

The journey starts at a Swedish farmhouse and follows a path from the farm to a ticket booth, steamship, and finally to a log cabin in Minnesota. Many items in the museum are authentic artifacts familiar to Swedish immigrants in the 1800s. The exhibit also features a Viking ship and a space area dedicated to Swedish American astronaut Buzz Aldrin and the Apollo 11 moon landing. Visitors learn about Swedish culture, history, and the universal immigrant experience through hands-on exploration.

The museum offers regular public hours Tuesday through Sunday, with interactive components available afternoons and weekends. Special programs include monthly Hejsan! storytelling and crafting hours, birthday party options, family events throughout the year including themed pancake breakfasts, Midsommarfest, Family Fun Fest, workshops, and Breakfast with Tomten (Swedish Santa). Summer camps for ages 6-12 engage participants in games, Swedish food preparation, songs, dance, and language learning. The museum welcomes thousands of students annually for school tours from PreK through high school, with customizable curriculum options.