So many things have changed. The House of Immigrants is said to have
closed. For many years it was the
destination for 10,000 Americans who came to Växjö to research their Swedish ancestry. It is set among old structures of yesteryear
like windmills and a cabin with a sod roof and levered pole which was designed
to seal the chimney top. Many American
remember the move, The Imigrants with
Liv Uhlman in the early 1970s depicting the Swedish migration to America and
Minnesota. (I can still remember the
scene in the room and the ticking of the clock as Liv bemoans the passage of
time.) I saw one lady sobbing in the
research room when I was there. It’s
hard not to get misty in a place like that.
There was a terrific park near the
lake at Växjö with an all purpose amphitheater and zoo. The curved amphitheater appears to be gone now, but the
city retains its recreational attraction with a big sports center, tennis
courts, and many foot and bicycle paths.
It’s an area perfect for school outings on sunny days in September before
the winter sets in. When I was there the
Swedes were apparently a little confused where the zoo began and ended because I
noticed a bear not too far from me which could easily step over a two foot
hedge for a quick meal. There was no
chain or barbed wire and I didn’t like the idea of a bear greeting me on such an
intimate level.
Växjö’s two steepled cathedral is in the photo near the lake not far from the House of
Immigrants. Sooner or later along the
shore line I began to think of my situation as tourists often do. For someone in my station in life, it was
truly a wonderful experience, something I cherish in my memories among Swedes
in a picturesque little city with the right proportions of nature and
modernism. As promised, I will post shortly some pictures
of Scandinavian houses and buildings that illustrate their sense of taste and
high standard of living.
