Artist Lydia Sohlberg Deere
Lydia Sohlberg Deere's 1927 "Lindsborg Swedish Club's" Handwork and Members
Swedish / Scandinavian handwork preserved and promoted for over 40 years
Swedish / Scandinavian handwork preserved and promoted for over 40 years
~ weaving, knyppling, crocheting, bobbin lace, china painting, embroidery, Hardanger, drawn work, quilting ~
It was Lydia's desire as well as other Swedish ladies in Lindsborg to practice and hold on to the handwork of Sweden and Scandinavia. The Lindsborg Swedish Crafts on Main Street owned by Mr. and Mrs. Thure Jaderborg provided the necessary materials imported from Sweden for the handwork.
While working at Bethany College as the Lane Hart Hall ladies' Matron and Lady Principal from 1906-1913, Lydia taught various types of this handwork at Bethany Academy in 1907-1909 and 1910-1913.*
Eleonora Stromquist-Esping in her 1943 tribute** to Mrs. Deere describes Lydia when teaching this handwork as follows:
"It seems but yesterday that our lively trio in Model School… Bertha Holmberg-Anderson, Rosalie Welin-Brown, and I were hurrying (with our braided pigtails a flying tied with huge hair-ribbon bows) to Miss Solberg's apartment at the Ladies’ Dormitory (Mrs. Deere was at that time Dean of Women and Matron of the Ladies Dorm) for our bi-weekly sewing lesson. Her masterpieces of art and needlework were a constant source of inspiration to our impressionable minds…and under her excellent instruction our fingers grew nimble with lovely and useful hand-embroidered articles for our mothers and our “hope chest.” I can easily describe in two words Mrs. Deere’s finished works – 'exquisitely beautiful.' ..."
Later she founded the Föreningen för Skandenaviska Handarbeten translated to Society for Scandinavian Handwork on January 8, 1927. This society eventually came to be known as the Lindsborg Swedish Club. Its initial purpose was to practice and preserve the handwork of Sweden and Scandinavia, while conversing only in Swedish at all the meetings.
As a result of this club, Lydia left behind a treasure trove of handwork-- weaving, knyppling, crocheting, bobbin lace, china painting, embroidery, Hardanger, drawn work and quilting; and, I must assume that "the other members," i.e. "The Other Swedes," did as well, which lends me to believe that there could be quite a "Swedish Collection of Handwork" in Lindsborg ready to be discovered and recognized as a real piece of "art history" embracing early Swedish Lindsborg and Bethany College. Hopefully, in time, there will be "a collection" shown in Lindsborg and at Bethany, and while doing so, photographs of the collection can be taken to share it beyond Lindsborg and Bethany to a worldwide audience via the internet.
What I am showing here are not Lydia's best pieces as we had at least three (3) auctions after she died, and those best pieces most probably were sold then and most likely are somewhere in Lindsborg.
I photographed these the way I found them from Lydia's and Emil's estate. When time permits, I hope to arrange the pieces below according to their type of handwork and label them as such.
While working at Bethany College as the Lane Hart Hall ladies' Matron and Lady Principal from 1906-1913, Lydia taught various types of this handwork at Bethany Academy in 1907-1909 and 1910-1913.*
Eleonora Stromquist-Esping in her 1943 tribute** to Mrs. Deere describes Lydia when teaching this handwork as follows:
"It seems but yesterday that our lively trio in Model School… Bertha Holmberg-Anderson, Rosalie Welin-Brown, and I were hurrying (with our braided pigtails a flying tied with huge hair-ribbon bows) to Miss Solberg's apartment at the Ladies’ Dormitory (Mrs. Deere was at that time Dean of Women and Matron of the Ladies Dorm) for our bi-weekly sewing lesson. Her masterpieces of art and needlework were a constant source of inspiration to our impressionable minds…and under her excellent instruction our fingers grew nimble with lovely and useful hand-embroidered articles for our mothers and our “hope chest.” I can easily describe in two words Mrs. Deere’s finished works – 'exquisitely beautiful.' ..."
Later she founded the Föreningen för Skandenaviska Handarbeten translated to Society for Scandinavian Handwork on January 8, 1927. This society eventually came to be known as the Lindsborg Swedish Club. Its initial purpose was to practice and preserve the handwork of Sweden and Scandinavia, while conversing only in Swedish at all the meetings.
As a result of this club, Lydia left behind a treasure trove of handwork-- weaving, knyppling, crocheting, bobbin lace, china painting, embroidery, Hardanger, drawn work and quilting; and, I must assume that "the other members," i.e. "The Other Swedes," did as well, which lends me to believe that there could be quite a "Swedish Collection of Handwork" in Lindsborg ready to be discovered and recognized as a real piece of "art history" embracing early Swedish Lindsborg and Bethany College. Hopefully, in time, there will be "a collection" shown in Lindsborg and at Bethany, and while doing so, photographs of the collection can be taken to share it beyond Lindsborg and Bethany to a worldwide audience via the internet.
What I am showing here are not Lydia's best pieces as we had at least three (3) auctions after she died, and those best pieces most probably were sold then and most likely are somewhere in Lindsborg.
I photographed these the way I found them from Lydia's and Emil's estate. When time permits, I hope to arrange the pieces below according to their type of handwork and label them as such.
5 pieces
4 pieces
5 pieces
Below is an image of the Swedish Club stationery envelope with letter pages of 1967 describing the history of the Swedish Club and its first members by Lindsborg's historian Ruth Billdt, 1965 translator of her father's, Bethany Church pastor Dr. Alfred Bergin's, book, Pioneer Swedish-American Culture in Central Kansas, first published in Swedish in 1909; and translator of her father's second book, first published in Swedish in 1919, The Smoky Valley in The After Years.
Mrs. Billdt gave this information to my grandmother, Nina Sohlberg Fry, Lydia's niece who she photographed so much as child. After Lydia passed away in 1943, Nina eventually lived in Lydia's house caring for her husband, Emil O. Deere. Nina was also a member of the Swedish Club and had many gatherings for the ladies. Present at some of these gatherings, as a teenager, I would help her serve the coffee with “dopp.”
Mrs. Billdt gave this information to my grandmother, Nina Sohlberg Fry, Lydia's niece who she photographed so much as child. After Lydia passed away in 1943, Nina eventually lived in Lydia's house caring for her husband, Emil O. Deere. Nina was also a member of the Swedish Club and had many gatherings for the ladies. Present at some of these gatherings, as a teenager, I would help her serve the coffee with “dopp.”
- 1967 -
- Swedish Club Envelope and Stationery -
This information Mrs. Billdt put together here was for the Kansas television program, "Bette Hayes Homemakers" to be aired on Feburary 7, 1967. Click to view the attached notes of the letter which I have transcribed below.
2 more pages to be added. 1 8 22.
2 more pages to be added. 1 8 22.
- Mrs. Billdt's information for "Bette Hayes Homemakers" Kansas television program to be aired on Feburary 7,1967 -
The F.S. H. Swedish Club was organized January 8, 1927, at the suggestion of Mrs. Emil Deere, in order to try to preserve and encourage the Art of Swedish or Scandinavian handwork.
12 ladies attended – The Charter Members of this club. Two of this group are still members, namely Mrs. Hagbard Brase and Mrs. Ray Oberholser. It was decided that 12 members compose the group; that only those interested in Scandinavian handwork be allowed to join; must be members of the Bethany Lutheran Church. This first rule has been changed to" those of Scandinavian ancestry. "
The first meeting was held in the home of Mrs. Hagbard Brase, who became it's first president. (Professor Hagbard Brase was director of the Lindsborg Messiah for over 30 years.) Mrs. Oberholser was the first secretary – treasurer.
Meetings were held twice a month, Secretary’s report given once a year. However, we now meet once a month with Secretary’s report at each meeting. Our reports are written in Swedish. However, the Swedish language is not use in conversation anymore. We have no dues, but if money is needed -- each member contributes to the treasurer. President, secretary, and treasurer serve for a year.
Meetings are held in the homes of the members in alphabetical order.
At first, all materials were sent for from Sweden but since World War II (could not get material then print the Sea, materials have been purchased here, much from the Swedish crafts – a store that has Scandinavian merchandise. The club subscribed to the handwork magazine ALLERS, but this too, has discontinued.
Exhibition of handwork was held once a year. However, now we work for the Hyllningsfest (pioneer festival)--make articles and Scandinavian food to sell. The Hyllningsfest is held every two odd numbered years, held October 6,7,8 of this year.
We are now 12 members–Youngest member is 67 years old and our oldest member, Mrs. Carl Anderson, is 94 years old. Mrs. Anderson still comes to our meetings when possible.
We have one picnic a year held at a park or home of one of our staff members.
Seven of our members have been to Sweden from 1 to 3 times. Only one member was born in Sweden, although all have relatives there.
Mrs. Carl Lincoln, one of our members, is the daughter of the first Swede born in Kansas. (Mr. Johnson of Mariadahl born in 1856)
Weaving, knyppling, crocheting, bobbin lace, china painting, embroidery and Hardanger, drawn work, quilting, etc. Is done at the meetings. One member, has and is translating books, etc. from Swedish to English.
All, except two members, have sung in the messiah chorus. Members have been teachers, some are still nursing, ministers’ wives, homemakers, saleswomen, etc.
Mrs. Thure Jaderborg, (wife of Professor Jaderborg), who was voice instructor at Bethany College is part owner of the Swedish Crafts.
Of course, coffee with “dopp” (cake, salad, cookies, sandwiches, rolls, etc.) is served at every meeting.
12 ladies attended – The Charter Members of this club. Two of this group are still members, namely Mrs. Hagbard Brase and Mrs. Ray Oberholser. It was decided that 12 members compose the group; that only those interested in Scandinavian handwork be allowed to join; must be members of the Bethany Lutheran Church. This first rule has been changed to" those of Scandinavian ancestry. "
The first meeting was held in the home of Mrs. Hagbard Brase, who became it's first president. (Professor Hagbard Brase was director of the Lindsborg Messiah for over 30 years.) Mrs. Oberholser was the first secretary – treasurer.
Meetings were held twice a month, Secretary’s report given once a year. However, we now meet once a month with Secretary’s report at each meeting. Our reports are written in Swedish. However, the Swedish language is not use in conversation anymore. We have no dues, but if money is needed -- each member contributes to the treasurer. President, secretary, and treasurer serve for a year.
Meetings are held in the homes of the members in alphabetical order.
At first, all materials were sent for from Sweden but since World War II (could not get material then print the Sea, materials have been purchased here, much from the Swedish crafts – a store that has Scandinavian merchandise. The club subscribed to the handwork magazine ALLERS, but this too, has discontinued.
Exhibition of handwork was held once a year. However, now we work for the Hyllningsfest (pioneer festival)--make articles and Scandinavian food to sell. The Hyllningsfest is held every two odd numbered years, held October 6,7,8 of this year.
We are now 12 members–Youngest member is 67 years old and our oldest member, Mrs. Carl Anderson, is 94 years old. Mrs. Anderson still comes to our meetings when possible.
We have one picnic a year held at a park or home of one of our staff members.
Seven of our members have been to Sweden from 1 to 3 times. Only one member was born in Sweden, although all have relatives there.
Mrs. Carl Lincoln, one of our members, is the daughter of the first Swede born in Kansas. (Mr. Johnson of Mariadahl born in 1856)
Weaving, knyppling, crocheting, bobbin lace, china painting, embroidery and Hardanger, drawn work, quilting, etc. Is done at the meetings. One member, has and is translating books, etc. from Swedish to English.
All, except two members, have sung in the messiah chorus. Members have been teachers, some are still nursing, ministers’ wives, homemakers, saleswomen, etc.
Mrs. Thure Jaderborg, (wife of Professor Jaderborg), who was voice instructor at Bethany College is part owner of the Swedish Crafts.
Of course, coffee with “dopp” (cake, salad, cookies, sandwiches, rolls, etc.) is served at every meeting.
The Swedish Club of Lindsborg pose in their "first" Svensk Hyllningsfest costumes in October, 1941
Source: The October 1976 "Why Lindsborg?" by Elizabeth Jaderborg.
- the seasonal or monthly magazine they used -
for more on this magazine, "click" on it
Lydia's Signatured Black Book of Her and written Sewing Instructions
for more on Lydia's sewing instructions, "click" on black book
- This McPherson Kansas handwork gathering in the late 1890s was before Lydia's Lindsborg Swedish Club -
Selma Sohlberg, ----?---- Charlotta Leksell, ----?----
* Source: Dr. Leon Lungstrom
** Source: Lindsborg News Record obituary, July 17, 1943
** Source: Lindsborg News Record obituary, July 17, 1943
* * *
"Let Us Celebrate Them"
* * *
Swedes: TheWayTheyWere
~ restoring lost local histories ~
reconnecting past to present
* * *
All color photography throughout Swedes: The Way They Were is by Fran Cochran unless otherwise indicated.
Copyright © since October 8, 2015 to Current Year
as indicated on main menu sections of
www.swedesthewaytheywere.org. All rights reserved.
"Let Us Celebrate Them"
* * *
Swedes: TheWayTheyWere
~ restoring lost local histories ~
reconnecting past to present
* * *
All color photography throughout Swedes: The Way They Were is by Fran Cochran unless otherwise indicated.
Copyright © since October 8, 2015 to Current Year
as indicated on main menu sections of
www.swedesthewaytheywere.org. All rights reserved.
