SWEDES: TheWayTheyWere
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    • The Bethany Artist & the Bethany Scientist: Lydia & Emil ------------------------- \\// >
      • Their 1869 Swedish Lutheran Galesburg Colony and Olsson Colony Smoky Valley Arrivals, ~ With a Galesburg account by Mr. Holmquist >
        • Their Värmland Swedes ~ The "First Swedish Agricultural Company" Lindsborg Founders, 1868, ~ An account by Dr. Lindquist >
          • Swedish Pastor Olof Olsson Emigrating to Lindsborg 1869, June 27th Arrival ~ An account by Dr. Lindquist >
            • Bethany Lutheran Church and Lindsborg Founder Pastor Olsson, 1869 - 1876 ~ An account by Dr..Lindquist
      • Their 1869 "Bethany Lutheran Church" ~ Accounts by Dr. Lindquist and Mr. Carlson >
        • ​Their 1860-1962 "Augustana Evangelical Lutheran Synod" ~ Gaining and losing its Swedish identity >
          • The 1860 Formation of the Augustana Synod ~ An Account by Mr. Holmquist
          • Their 1892 "Augustana Women's Missionary Society" ~ An account by Ms. Humphrey
          • The 2000 - 2016 "Augustana Heritage Association"
      • Their 1879 "Swedish Mission Church" formation by former Bethany Lutheran Church members ​ due to the "atonement" issue ​ ~ An account by Mr. Bill Carlson ~ Part 1 of 2 >
        • Their 1879 '"Swedish Mission Church" formation due to the "atonement" issue ​~ An account by Dr. Lindquist ~ Part 2 of 2
      • Their 1907 "Bethany Lutheran Home" ~ Accounts by Bethany Home Writers >
        • 1976 Lindsborg’s Bethany Home’s Swedish King's Visit ~ An account by Mr. Carlson
      • Their 1909 and 1919 Swedish Smoky Valley Community Chronicles ~ Compiled and written by Bethany Lutheran Church Rev. Dr. Alfred Bergin, members and others >
        • 1909 translated to "Pioneer Swedish-American Culture in Central Kansas," 1965 ~ By Mrs. Bergin Billdt
        • 1919 translated to "The Smoky Valley in The After Years," 1969 ~ By Mrs. Bergin Billdt & Mrs. Jaderborg
      • Their 1910 English speaking "Messiah Lutheran Church" formation by former Bethany Lutheran Church members ~ An account by Dr. Emory K. Lindquist >
        • ~ An account on the Messiah Lutheran Church formation from Rev. Dr. Alfred Bergin's 1909 ​"Pioneer Swedish-American Culture of Central Kansas"
      • Their 1919 Lindsborg Historical Society's "Coronado Heights" ~ Emil's 1907 thesis and Lydia's photographs >
        • The ​1919 formation of the "Lindsborg Historical Society" ~ The Smoky Hills' "Smoky Hill" christened "Coronado Heights" May 8, 1924 >
          • G. N. Malm's role in the development of the Lindsborg Historical Society and Coronado Heights ​~ An account by Dr. Lindquist
          • Lindsborg Historical Society and Coronado Heights History ~ Three (3) accounts by Mrs. Elizabeth Jaderborg, former SVHA secretary >
            • Coronado Expedition Chain Mail and Bethany College Museum History ~ An account from Dr. Lungstrom's book
      • Their 1916 Sohlberg House ​ ~ 322 North First [College] Street ~After their honeymoon
      • Their 1920 Old Main Apartments of Bethany College ~ Living on campus with the students for 20 years
      • Their 1936 1873 Swedish Homestead," "Our Peaceful Acres" >
        • Their 1873 Swede House ~ A close twin to Lindsborg Founder Rev. Olof Olsson's stone house >
          • Peaceful Acres Smoky Valley descendant friends and helpers ~ Honoring them and remembering them
      • Their 1940 Deere Home to 1943 ​~ 344 North First [College] Street ~ With new occupants after Lydia
      • Their 1941 "Svensk Hyllningsfest" and Dr. Holwerda's role ~ Accounts by Dr. Lungstrom, Mrs. Jaderborg, Dr. Holwerda & Mr. Lundstrom >
        • Their 1964, "Lindsborg Swedish Folk Dancers" founded by Mrs. Jaderborg ~ An account by Mr. Chris Abercrombie
      • 1943, after Lydia, Emil's part planning Lindsborg's "first" hospital and Dr. Holwerda's role ~ An account by Dr. Lungstrom
    • Their "1881" Bethany Academy 1882 "First College Building"
    • Their 1882-1966 "Bethany College Museum" ~ The Natural History and Pioneer Collections >
      • Fossils Collection ~ from Old Main to the McPherson County Old Mill Museum, 1966, ~ “The Find” >
        • Taxidermy Collection ~ from Old Main to the McPherson County Old Mill Museum, 1966
      • 900 Item Emil O. Deere Pioneer Collection ~ from Old Main to the McPherson County Old Mill Museum, 1966 >
        • Cliff Dwellers' Pottery Collection ~ from Old Main to Sandzén Memorial Art Gallery, 1966
    • Their “1882 on . . .” Bethany College Handel’s “Messiah" Performances” >
      • "Messiah" Performers, Venues & Audiences, Press and Broadcasts >
        • Special 20th Century "Messiah" Performances >
          • "The Notables, Messiah Week, . . . ~ An account by Mrs. Jaderborg
      • Handel's "Messiah" & Bach's "St. Matthew Passion" ~ Described for viewers unfamiliar with these oratorios
    • Their “1899 on . . .” Bethany College “Swedish Artists’ Midwest Art Exhibition” ​~ An account by the Birger Sandzén Memorial Gallery
    • Their “1902 on . . .” Bethany College ‘Terrible Swedes,’ Their “1903 on” ‘Rockar Stockar’ ~ An account by Dr. Lindquist
    • Their “1904 on . . .” Bethany College St. Louis World's Fair “Swedish Pavilion”
    • Their "1895 to 1981" Bethany College Anniversary Celebrations ~ 15, 20, 25, 100 years >
      • Their Celebrating 15 Years of Bethany College, 1881-1896. The First Bethany Annual, 1895-96
      • Their Celebrating 20 Years of Bethany College, 1881-1901. The "Forget-Me-Not," 1902 >
        • The King of Sweden's Emissary, 1901
        • Yale University's Bethany Club
      • Their Celebrating 25 Years of Bethany College, 1881-1906, "Souvenir of Lindsborg and Bethany College"
      • Their Celebrating 100 Years of Bethany College, 1881-1981, "The Centennial of Bethany College"
    • Their "1937" Bethany College's Introduction to New Sweden ~ Founded in 1638 >
      • Deere's Introduction to New Sweden
  • Swedish Immigration Story, 1854
    • "The Story of the Old Spoon" by Ingrid Anderson Sohlberg & Daughter Lydia Sohlberg Deere, 1937
    • Who They Left Behind
    • From Sweden with Love Collections >
      • The Swedish Sohlberg Kosta Portraits, 1867 >
        • The Swedish Sohlberg Kosta Glass
        • The Swedish Sohlberg Letters
      • The Swedish Sohlberg Royal Gold Thread Embroidery Sampler (c1890s)
      • The Swedish Sohlberg Post Cards (c1890s)
      • The Swedish Sohlberg Magazines, (c1940s)
      • The Swedish Sohlberg Books, 1819/1886 to 1899
      • The Swedish Sohlberg Albums, ~ Late 19th early 20th centuries
      • The Swedish Deere Coins -- 1801-1929
  • Artist Lydia Sohlberg Deere
    • Lydia's Lindsborg Photography, 1900-1925 >
      • The Hats
      • The Smoky River
      • The Smoky Hills >
        • Coronado Heights -- One Winter's Day
      • In and Around Lindsborg
      • Sohlberg House with Parents >
        • Our Sohlberg Home and Neighbor Alma Luise Olson
      • Sohlberg House with Emil 1916 to 1920 >
        • Lydia's Travels with Deere 1916 - 1930s >
          • Lydia's California Photographs for Painting
          • Lydia's Palm Springs Pictorial Magazine, 1938-1939
          • Lydia's California Pressed Wild Flowers, c1930
      • "LYDIA'S WORLD" Photography Exhibitions in Lindsborg, 2005 - 2011 >
        • ​"LYDIA'S WORLD" Smoky Valley descendant friends caring for her work ​ ~ Honoring them and remembering them ~ 2005-2011
    • Lydia as Bethany College Lane Hart Hall Dean of Women, 1906 - 1913 >
      • Lydia's Signatured Black Book of Her Handwritten Sewing Instructions >
        • Nina Sohlberg's Child's Sewing "Little Dots" PICTURE BOOK
      • Lydia Sohlberg Deere's 1927 "Lindsborg Swedish Club's" Handwork >
        • The Lindsborg Swedish Club's "Allers Monster-Tidnings" magazine, 1940
    • Lydia's Art, 1919-1938 >
      • Lydia's Art: The Kansas Collection >
        • The Sketches
      • Lydia's Art: The Colorado, Wyoming, Utah, Arizona, New Mexico Collection >
        • The Sketches
      • Lydia's Art: The California Collection >
        • The Sketches
        • Lydia's "Palm Springs Magazine " 1938-39
    • Lydia's Art Professor Sven Birger Sandzén, 1871-1954 >
      • Lydia's Assignments for Professor Sandzén >
        • Students of Sandzén 2019 Exhibition
        • Bethany Home ~ Celebrating Artist Birger Sandzén through his students' paintings
    • Lydia's Art Professor Birger Sandzén's "Art Exhibitions" and "Reviews" .. 1893-1940 >
      • Lydia's Art Professor Sandzén's Exhibition at the Babcock Gallery in New York, 1922
      • Lydia's Sandzén's Body of Work Reviewed by N.Y.C, 1984 "American Impressionism," author William H. Gerdts
    • Lydia's and Sandzén's Swedish Artist Friend Charles Edward Hallberg, 1855-1940
    • Lydia's and Sandzén's Swedish Artist Friend Oscar Brousse Jacobson, 1882-1966
    • Lydia’s Sohlberg Family Connection to Sandzén, 1880-1894-1993
  • Scientist Emil O. Deere
    • Deere's & Lydia's Bethany -- Lydia's Bethany Photography, 1906-1925 >
      • Bethany College "Campus from Above"
      • Bethany College "The Gateway," 1917 and "Bethany Campus Association," 1912
      • Bethany College "College Street," today's "North First Street"
      • Bethany College "Campus Life"
      • Bethany College "Field Trips"
      • Bethany College's "Earliest Buildings" >
        • Bethany College "​Ladies Dormitory" / "Lane Hart Hall" 1883 - 1899 - 1983
        • Bethany College "Old Main" 1887-1968 >
          • Lydia's and Emil's Old Main Apartments, 1920 to 1940
          • Deere's Bethany College Classes in Old Main
        • Bethany College "Messiah Auditorium" / "Ling Auditorium" / "Ling Gymnasium" 1895 - 1946
        • Bethany College "Swedish Pavilion," 1904
        • Bethany College "​Carnegie Library" / "Bethany Library" 1908 - 1980
        • Bethany College "​Bethany Academy" 1882 -- Swensson's Bethany's Beginnings
    • Deere's 1959 Interview on Rev. Dr. Carl A. Swensson (On YouTube) >
      • Rev. Dr. Carl Aaron Swensson, 1857-1904 ~ An account by Dr. Lindquist >
        • Swensson's "Bethany Lutheran Church" and the "Augustana Lutheran Synod"
        • Swensson's Bethany's Beginnings: "The Bethany Academy of 1882"
        • Olsson's Influence, the Swenssons,' the Musicians' and Singers,' "Messiah," 1882 on … >
          • Thure Olof Jaderborg ~ One Lindsborg "Messiah" Commitment from 1901-1954
        • Swensson's Swedish Artists of the 1890s
        • Swensson's "Bethany College Museum," 1882 - 1966
      • In Memorium**Dr. Carl Aaron Swensson, 1904 ~ An account by Dr. Lindquist
    • Deere's Rev. Dr. Ernst F. Pihlblad, 1873-1943 ~ An account by Dr. Lindquist >
      • In Memoriam**Dr. Ernst F. Pihlblad, 1943
      • Rev. Dr. Pihlblad on Bethany College, 1904 - 1941
    • Deere's Swensson's "Bethany College Museum" 1882-1966 >
      • The 1966 Bethany College Museum Collections Move to the Old Mill Museum ~ Dr. Leon Lungstrom's Role >
        • Articles on the Bethany College Museum Collections Move of 1966
      • Deere's Swensson's Bethany College Museum Collections ~ to 1966
    • Deere's Smithsonian Institution's Souvenir, 1904
    • Deere's 1940 Presidential Address to the Kansas Academy of Science
    • Deere's 1955 Letter to President Eisenhower re Tuttle Creek
    • Deere's Service, 1901-1966 >
      • Deere's Education & Degrees
    • The Deere's Library ~ What remains of 2,000 books -- pending project
  • "The Other Swedes"
    • Honoring Them and Remembering Them ~ The Smoky Valley Writers >
      • ​Digitalize the Smoky Valley writers' Swedish and Swedish American histories ~ For their generations to come and for research accessibility
      • Rev. Bror Carlsson and Mr. Alf Brorson from Sweden ~ Tracing Värmland's Rev. Olof Olsson's church life in Sweden and in Swedish America with the Augustana Lutheran Synod >
        • ​"He Gave God Glory" "The Story of Olof Olsson, ​" 1841 - 1900 ~ By Rev. Bror Carlsson
      • Rev. Dr. Carl Aaron Swensson ~ Author of countless Swedish & English publications, newspapers articles & books for local, national & European readers
      • Bethany Church, Bethany College, Augustana Lutheran Synod Writers ​~ Remembering Rev. Dr. Carl Aaron Swensson and Rev. Dr. Ernst Frederick Pihlblad
      • Rev. Dr. Alfred Bergin ​~ Compiling foundational Swedish Smoky Valley Augustana Lutheran settlements' histories and more
      • Dr. Emory K. Lindquist ~ Chronicling Swedish Augustana Lutheran Lindsborg and Bethany College from their earliest years >
        • ​1953, "Smoky Valley People, A History of Lindsborg, Kansas" ~ The Words of Dr. Lindquist and Contents & Illustrations
        • 1975 "Bethany in Kansas, the history of a college" ~ The Words of Dr. Lindquist >
          • "Bethany in Kansas" PART I ~ Contents & Illustrations
          • "Bethany in Kansas" PART II ~ Contents & Illustrations
        • 1984 "Hagbard Brase, Beloved Music Master" ~ The Words of Dr. Lindquist >
          • "Hagbard Brase" ~ Contents and Illustrations
        • 1989 "G. N. Malm - A Swedish Immigrant's Varied Career" ~ The Words of Dr. Lindquist: Part 2 >
          • "G. N. Malm" ~ Contents & Illustrations
      • Mrs. Elizabeth Jaderborg [Selma Lind] ​ ~ Chronicling the Lindsborg of her day, its early histories, its early citizens >
        • 1965 "Lindsborg On Record" ~ Contents & Illustrations
        • 1967 "Living in Lindsborg and Other Possibilities" ~ Contents & Illustrations
        • 1973 "Talk About Lindsborg" ~ Contents & Illustrations
        • 1976 "Why Lindsborg?" ~ Contents & Illustrations
        • ​1990 "Two Reprints" ~ Contents & Illustrations Lists
      • Mr. Thomas N. Holmquist ~ Chronicling Lindsborg's neighbors, the Galesburg Swedes of Salemsborg and Freemount, with a personal connection, 1868
      • Mr. Bill Carlson ~ Chronicling Lindsborg's earliest and later histories with a personal connection, 1867 >
        • 2011 "Lindsborg Then and Lindsborg Now" ~ The words of Bill Carlson in the first 5 chapters >
          • 2011 "Lindsborg Then and Lindsborg Now" ​ ~ The words of Bill Carlson in the last chapter: "Conclusion" >
            • "Lindsborg Then and Lindsborg Now" ~ Contents & Illustrations
        • 2016 ~ Mr. Calrson's account of "1976 King of Sweden's Visit to Bethany Home'"
      • Ms. Karen A. Humphrey ~ Chronicling highlights of Swedish Augustana Lutheran Lindsborg and Bethany College culture in the earliest years >
        • 2012 "Grace, Faith and the Power of Singing: The Alma Christina Lind Swensson Story" ~The Words of Ms. Humphrey
        • "Grace, Faith and the Power of Singing" ~ Contents & Illustrations
      • Mr. Chris Abercrombie ~ Remembering him as "The Historian," the SVHA president and his body of work
      • Rev. Eugene K. Nelson and the Bethany Home Writers ~ Chronicling the "only known" Smoky Valley story on Bethany Home since 1907
      • Smoky Valley Historical Association Members ~ Chronicling 1993 " Where Did They Live? " "Early Residences of Lindsborg, Kansas"
    • ​Honoring Them and Remembering Them ~ The ​Smoky Valley History Research Writers Website Designers
    • Honoring Them and Remembering Them ~ Lindsborg Smoky Valley People >
      • Revs. Drs. Swensson and Pihlblad ~ The founder and the presidents of Bethany College respectively
      • Mrs. Alma Christina Lind Swensson ~ Remembering her as Mrs. Rev. Dr. Swensson, the "First Lady" of Lindsborg, organizer of the "Messiah Chorus" and much more ~ From ​Ms. Humphrey's Book
      • Dr. Johan August Udden ~ "First" Bethany College professor, founder of Bethany College museum and Spanish chain mail, lead UT to $300,000,000+ ~ Account by Dr. Lungstrom
      • ​Samuel Thorstenberg ~ Remembering him as the "earliest" internationally acclaimed Bethany College "Messiah Chorus" conductor
      • Dr. Hagbard Brase ~ Remembering him as the second "earliest" internationally acclaimed Bethany College "Messiah Chorus" conductor
      • B.G. Gröndal ~ Remembering him and his photography in the earliest years of Lindsborg and Bethany College >
        • B.G. Gröndal ~ Accounts by Mr. Abercrombie and Mrs. Jaderborg with LINK to Mrs. Eddy, B.G.'s granddaughter's book review
      • International "NY Times" Correspondent Miss Alma Luise Olson ~ Remembering her as "First Honored American Woman by Sweden" ~ An account by ​Mrs. Elizabeth Jaderborg* >
        • ​​Miss Alma Luise Olson ~ Remembering her and the extraordinary life she led at home and abroad ~ An account by Ms. Karen A. Humphrey
      • Artist Birger Sandzén ~ Remembering him for "sharing his art with the world," starting "first" at Lindsborg's Bethany College >
        • Dr. & Dr. Mrs. Charles Greenough III ~ Remembering them for their gift of the Birger Sandzén Memorial Gallery -- pending
      • G. N. Malm ~ Lindsborg's Swedish Renaissance Man ~ Accounts by Dr. Lindquist >
        • G. N. Malm and all he did for the Lindsborg community ~ An account by Mrs. Elizabeth Jaderborg >
          • G. N. Malm and his Lindsborg's national interior decorating company ​​~ An account by Mrs. Elizabeth Jaderborg​
      • William Holwerda, M.D. ~ Remembering him as "Doc Bill," a city father and loving citizen ~ Accounts by Dr. Lungstrom and Mrs. Jaderborg >
        • Dr. William Holwerda ~ Remembering their family doctor with Messiah Lutheran Church tributes ~ An account by Dr. Leon Lungstrom
      • Artist Lester Raymer ~ Remembering him as the renowned virtuoso artist and "behind the scenes" community supporter
      • Dr. Arvin W. Hahn ​​~ Remembering him for saving Bethany College from going under!​ >
        • Dr. Arvin W. Hahn ~ Remembering him handing me my Bethany College Diploma on Sunday, May 26, 1968
      • Dr. ​& Mrs. Elmer Copley ~ Remembering them and their 29 years of dedication to that Bethany College "Messiah" tradition of excellence >
        • 1976 Dr. Elmer Copley ~ Remembering him as the “Messiah” conductor for the Bethany College "Swedish King’s," Carl XVI Gustaf's, performance >
          • 1981 Dr. Elmer Copley ~ Remembering him as the "Messiah" conductor for the Bethany College "Centennial Celebration" performance >
            • 1986 Dr. Elmer Copley ~ Remembering him as the televised "American Easter" conductor of the Bethany College Oratorio Society Holy Easter Week
      • Mr. & Mrs. Hilding Jaderborg ~ Remembering them and their “Swedish Crafts Shop” of 65 years and 50 trips to Sweden
      • The Swedish Lindsborg Builders ~ Remembering them for the lovely homes they built
      • Mr. Chris Abercrombie ~ Remembering him for "first" shining an international light on Lindsborg and Bethany College, via YouTube
      • Dr. Greta Swenson and Mr. & Mrs. Mark Esping ~ Remembering them for founding Lindsborg's “first” "Swedish-American Folklife Institute of Central Kansas," 1986 >
        • Remembering their Lindsborg's Folklife Institute's "Swedish-American Heritage Center," 1996
      • Mr. Claude Koehn ~ Remembering him as restorer and preservationist of Smoky Valley stone farmhouses and other stone structures
      • Ms. Rebecca Copley ~ Remembering her as Bethany College's “first” graduate to become an International Concert & Opera Soprano >
        • Ms. Copley's "International Concert and Opera Soprano" ​~ The REVIEWS
      • Mr. Bruce Karstadt ~ Honoring him as a Bethany College graduate for heading up a major national Swedish American institution
      • Dr. Mark Lucas ~ Messiah conductor bringing the Lindsborg “Oberammergau of the Plains" to a "new" world audience
    • “Honoring Them and Remembering Them" ~ The Groupings and the Swedes from Sweden >
      • ​1882-1966 Bethany College Museum Science Professor Curators ​~ Their earliest collectors and the taxidermists
      • 1894-1962 Bethany College Graduates in Augustana Lutheran Synod World Mission Work ~ An account by Dr. Emory K. Lindquist
      • 1901-2014 The ​Bethany College Swedish Knights and Ladies ~ Honored by the Kings of Sweden
      • ​​1919 "Lindsborg Historical Society's" earliest leaders ~ Their mission and projects >
        • 1963 "Smoky Valley Historical Association" (SVHA) later leaders ​~ Some more recent preservation projects
      • ​1961 - 2021 ​"McPherson County Old Mill Museum" ~ A chronological historical summary
      • 1976 His Majesty the King of Sweden, Carl XVI Gustaf's Visit to Lindsborg April 17th >
        • The Lindsborg & Bethany College "Swedes" ~ Honored by the King of Sweden, June 6, 1976
      • 1977​ Swedish Emigrant Institute Staff from Växjö, Småland Visits Lindsborg October 16-18
      • 1978 Swedish Documen- tary Film Crew Visits Lindsborg October 2-9 >
        • "Lindsborg News-Record" Clippings of 1978 Swedish Film Crew Visit
  • Contacts
    • For 1869 Lindsborg CONTACT Today > > > > > > > > to Yesteryears > >
      • ​Lydia's Lindsborg Photography​, ​1900 - 1925 >
        • "A Time to Remember" 1882 - 1988
      • A Historical Count of Lindsborg Residents ~The Bethany College Presidents & Swedish Kings Honoring Bethany Swedes
    • ​For 1881 Bethany College CONTACT Today > > > > > > > > > to Yesteryears > >
      • Lydia's Bethany Photography, 1906 - 1925 >
        • "A Time to Remember" 1882 - 1988 >
          • Their "I WAS THERE" Coin ~ Bethany College 21st Year Celebration, 1902 >
            • "Bethany Campus Walk” ~ Remembering the buildings, the "Bethany Family" of their era, 1882 - 2015
      • A Historical Count ~The Bethany College Presidents & Swedish Kings Honoring Bethany Swedes
    • For 1957 Birger Sandzén Memorial Gallery CONTACT Today >
      • Sandzén: "Ecstasy of Color" ~ PBS Doucmentary ~ Aired 6/11/21
    • Closing Remarks >
      • Traveling through SWEDES ​~ The Table of Contents ~ The "Outline" "Online"
    • The 1941 "Smoky Valley 'Pioneer Cross Memorial' " ​~ ​By Mr. Thomas N. Holmquist
    • The 2009 "Smoky Valley Swedish People's Virtual Memorial"
"The Other Swedes"
​~ Honoring Them and Remembering Them ~ The Smoky Valley Writers ~
​
Ms. Karen A. Humphrey
~ Chronicling highlights of Swedish Augustana Lutheran Lindsborg and Bethany College culture
in the earliest years


Visiting Lindsborg in 1998, for my annual visit to my farmland and the Swede House ruins, I had the unexpected pleasure and opportunity to hear Ms. Karen A. Humphrey speak to a jampacked Bethany College Pihlblad Union dining room for the annual local gathering of "historical organizations" from Lindsborg and around the Smoky Valley.  She spoke fluently and captivatingly about a local subject of key interest to these organizations.  Although, I cannot remember the topic of her speech, I was totally pulled in by her storytelling delivery, as was the whole audience, which was my first "real" introduction to Lindsborg and Smoky Valley history by a professional. 
2012 Published, 126 Pages
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Twenty-two years from that event, the same can be said about her storytelling in her 2012 book:  Grace, Faith and the Power of Singing:  The Alma Christina Lind Swensson Story.  Ms. Humphrey's book is fastmoving, entertaining, enlightening, delightful, historical and so well documented.  It is "timeless!"  

This is a book that everyone and anyone who is interested in the earliest years of Bethany Church and Bethany College should read, if they have not already, especially college administration, professors and students, to get a real feel of what life was about at the top-level of this prestigious Swedish Augustana Lutheran College, populated with art and music European credentialed professors fresh from Sweden, adding to its equally well qualified growing faculty.  And, within this context, we, the readers, travel comfortably and enjoyably learning about Mrs. Rev. Dr. Swensson (as Alma was addressed then) and her life endeavors that would gracefully change the Lindsborg culture, its cultural musical landscape and missionary work forever, thus producing good fruit, of a far reaching impact, nationally and globally!  ​​

I see Ms. Humphrey's book as "a gift" that keeps on giving, particularly to the Augustana Lutheran Synod Swedish Americans of Lindsborg that are found at its Bethany Church and Bethany College, and similarly to those found at the Smoky Valley Freemount and Falun-Salemsborg Lutheran Churches, while, yet, more broadly to those others found in former Augustana Lutheran Synod Swedish American churches, all of which had to give up their Swedish Synod identity when merged in 1962 into the Lutheran Church of America, LCA, which in 1986 merged into the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, ELCA, that is headquartered in Chicago, Illinois.

As a graduate from the University of Minnesota and growing up and living in a central Minnesota gathering place for immigrant Swedes most of her life, Ms. Humphrey sees "Lindsborg, Kansas, as the most Swedish of American communities."  This conclusion most certainly would have been arrived at when her husband, Rev. Charles W. Humphrey, was the pastor for the Bethany Lutheran Church from 1998 to 2006.

​
During his tenure, Ms. Humphrey's tenure would be taken up with a job at Bethany College where she held the position of Vice President of Institutional Advancement with other additional duties, one of which would be coordinating the introduction of the prestigious Pearson Distinguished Professor of Swedish Studies Program.  And, another one would be that of overseeing Bethany College's 125th Anniversary Celebration, with the theme "From the Plains to the World," which started October 15, 2005 and would end December 3, 2006.
​
​
Ms. Humphrey's heritage is mostly Norwegian, yet her early life experiences were those of being immersed in Swedish culture and history.  This was from attending, being baptized and confirmed by Dr. Pastor Emeroy Johnson of Minnesota's Norseland's Scandian Grove Lutheran Church which was founded by Swedish immigrants in 1858.  Her pastor would take on the task of chronicling the Minnesota Swedish Immigrant Lutheran Churches and from that, no doubt, her young child interest in local history and Swedish church history would only grow.

​​Go HERE to 2012 "Grace, Faith and the Power of Singing:  The Alma Christina Lind Swensson Story"
~The Words of Ms. Humphrey


Go HERE to Contents 2012 "Grace, Faith and the Power of Singing:  The Alma Christina Lind Swensson Story"
  ~ Contents & Illustrations


Go HERE to ~ Remembering her as Mrs. Rev. Dr. Swensson, the "First Lady" of Lindsborg, organizer of the "Messiah                             Chorus" and much more ~ From ​Ms. Humphrey's Book

Mrs. Alma Christina Lind Swensson ~ Remembering her as Mrs. Rev. Dr. Swensson, the First Lady of Lindsborg.

(Ms. Humphrey's book can be found HERE at amazon.com.)​ 

​​* "First Lady" has become my other name for Mrs. Swensson after learning all about her in Ms. Humphrey's book.
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​Online Bethany College / World Wide libraries book count of Ms. Humphrey's book I used in SWEDES:


"Grace, Faith and the Power of Singing:  The Alma Christina Lind Swensson Story"  2 / 58                 2 Lindsborg Library

​​                                                                                                                                                                As of September 21, 2020

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*     *     * 
Swedes: TheWayTheyWere
~ restoring lost local histories ~
reconnecting past to present
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All color photography throughout Swedes: The Way They Were is by Fran Cochran unless otherwise indicated.
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