THE HISTORY OF THE COLONY OF AMERICANS AND SWEDES IN JERUSALEM
America House Jerusalem Nablus Rd. 27, next to the Legacy Hotel, JerusalemJERUSALEM, July 5, 2023: From July 7 through September 14, 2023, America House Jerusalem (Nablus Rd. 27, next to the Legacy Hotel) will host the photography exhibition Dreamers and Devotees: The History of Colony of Americans and Swedes in Jerusalem, organized by the Swedish Consulate General in Jerusalem. Admission to the exhibition is free and is open from Monday through Friday 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
The exhibition consists of eleven historical photographs and text that describe thematic episodes in the history of the American-Swedish colony established in Jerusalem in 1881. It focuses on the Swedes from the village of Nås, Sweden, who emigrated to Jerusalem and merged with the already existing American Colony. Their goal was spiritual fulfilment and to experience what they believed would be the Second Coming of Christ.
The fascinating history of the American Colony in Jerusalem is one of faith, resilience, and vision—themes which still resonate today—142 years later after its founding in 1881.
Our aim in hosting this exhibition is not only to highlight a fascinating chapter in the history of Americans and Swedes in Jerusalem, but also to inspire our viewers with an example of a successful community that embraced diversity, community service, education, and gender equality—values that we at America House aspire to uphold every day through our many educational and cultural programs for youth.