Carver County has strong ties and partnerships with many locations throughout the world, but perhaps the strongest ties is with our “sister” county of Ydre, Sweden. Ydre kommun is a small municipality located in Östergötland County in SE Sweden. As of December 31, 2013, the municipality had a total population of 3,617.
It was Tuesday, September 20, 2011. The Carver county Board has approved a resolution to strengthen the bonds of friendship and ties of heritage with Ydre, Sweden. This new partnership was meant to promote an increase in cultural understanding and prosperity between the two, and recognize the historical connection thanks to Swedish immigrant Andrew Peterson. For many, it was recognition of a bond that had already existed for many years.
Between 1800 and 1910, more than 1.3 million Swedes came to the United States in search of opportunity and a better life. The peak year for immigration was 1887 with 46,000 Swedes making the trip. In 1870, nearly 75% of all these Swedish immigrants were located in a 5-state area: Illinois, Minnesota, Kansas, Wisconsin, and Nebraska. Of these, Minnesota was and remains the most “Swedish” of all states. In the 21st century, there are over 400 Scandinavian place names in Minnesota and nearly 12% of Minnesota’s population claims Swedish ancestry, with Swedes comprising nearly 70% in certain counties.
This Swedish America or Svenskamerika is well represented by Ydre immigrant Andrew Peterson. His comprehensive journal is a window to another time, and was the basis when Swedish novelist Wilhelm Moberg wrote his The Emigrants series. His success exemplifies the millions of Swedish immigrants. Peterson is considered a national hero in Sweden with an exhibit in the Ydre town of Asby, a society in his honor, and a plaque along the road to where he grew up.
It was in part due to Peterson and in part to Minnesota’s Swedish heritage that the relationship with Ydre grew. In the 21st century, the Nordic Club of Carver County and the Andrew Peterson Society (established 2003) in Sweden have teamed up to help preserve the Andrew Peterson farm. In 2006, a groups of Swedes from Ydre made the first of two trips to aid in hand-carving and traditional repairs. Large groups from the Society have made the trip have toured Carver County, other Minnesota Swedish areas, and Iowa locales in 2010 and 2011.
This strong continued interest in Andrew Peterson and repairing his farmstead, along with Minnesota vast Swedish heritage, prompted the county to become involved. Becoming sister counties with Ydre, Sweden only strengthened already existing ties for prosperity.
“Swedish Immigrants.” https://www.augustana.edu/general-information/swenson-center- /swedish-american-immigration-history
www.andrewpeterson.se/web/sv/welcome-andrew-peterson-society
Zuege, Unsie. “Carver Now has Sister county in Sweden.” Chanhassen Villager, September 22, 2011.
