are not of Nordic ancestry but are committed to the promotion and advancement of Swedish and Nordic heritage and culture. We do this by encouraging the observance of special dates old and new, Midsummer, Leif Ericksson Day, etc. with proper festivities including Smorgasbord and Scandinavian music. While much of our activity occurs during the summer season, in mid-December it is hard to find a Vasa Lodge where Luciafest is not observed.

   Many lodges and districts sponsor Language classes as well as Children's clubs in which Folk Dances are learned and performed in authentic costume. Whenever we can, we take part in programs where our rich heritage may be shared with the public.

   There are nearly three hundred lodges in the Vasa Order, governed by 19 District lodges in the United States, Sweden and Canada. The most popular monthly meeting nights are Friday and Wednesday. While you may apply for membership to any of our lodges, if you were to join the closest one to your home you would find it easier to participate in meetings and activities.

The Vasa Order of America

Come celebrate Scandinavia with us. Join The Vasa Order of America
Apply for membership (Click Here)

The Vasa Order of Amerika - History

The Vasa Order of America emerged out of the many Swedish sickbenefit societies that existed as a safety net for early immigrants. In the 1880's a small loosely-knit coalition of these independent Swedish societies existed in Connecticut, New York and Pennsylvania. When the coalition was dissolved, George K Rose invited representatives of the Connecticut societies home to discuss a new formation. His proposals included: "l. All units in the organization must work as closed or secret societies. 2. The organizations to be headed by a Grand Lodge having representatives from each society."

The first Grand Master (Vasa 1896-1901 The first 25 years -click here) was Blekinge-born Nils Pearson (left). George Rose took over after him and led the organization until 1903. The name "Vasa Order of America" was proposed by George Rose. "Gustav Vasa, just like George Washington, had been called the father of his country. He, like Washington, delivered his country from the hateful yoke of a foreign monarch. He persuaded the Dalecarlians to rise and later the other provinces joined in the fight for liberation. With the help of the peasant armies, he won a glorious victory over the oppressor, and on June 6, 1523 he was proclaimed King of Sweden. Four years later he introduced the Lutheran, religion to Sweden, not by force but through intelligent reasoning. The major part of the wealth of the country which had been acquired by the church through 500 years of accumulation, was given back to the rightful owner, the Swedish commonwealth. There is no other name in Swedish history and very few in world history that can match that of the heroic character and giant of the north, Gustav Vasa!

Today there are several hundred local Vasa lodges located throughout the U.S., Canada and Sweden. A lodge can have hundreds of active members in all ages with its own building, Vasa Park, newsletter and youth program. It can also be just a few members meeting in someone's home. Whether large or small, all lodges welcome visitors from other lodges at their regular meetings and do everything to make their guests really feel at home.

The original charter of the Vasa Order pledged "to educate members in moral, intellectual and social aspects and make them more valuable representatives of the Swedish nation". This pledge is carried out today through Scandinavian cultural and heritage programs, Swedish language study, literature, films and slides, children and youth clubs, including summer camps in the United States and Sweden, scholarships and student loans for vocational undergraduate and graduate study in the United States, Canada or the Scandinavian countries, the bi-monthly magazine "Vasa Star" for every family, commemoration of Swedish holidays and other specific Scandinavian cultural events, folk dancing, choir-singing, dinners, dances, sports activties, genealogy, music and many worthwhile activities for members of all ages. 

The local lodges are organized in 19 district lodges. The whole organization is "guided and directed" by the Grand Lodge and its Grand Master. Grand Lodge members are spread all over the continent as well as in Sweden. Vasa's archives are beautifully housed in Bishop Hill, Illinois. So Vasa is not only the largest Swedish-American nonpolitical, non-religious, cultural organization, it is also the most geographically widespread.

The Vasa Order organized its first children's club tour to Sweden in 1924, where the children sung for King Gustav V and held concerts in cities all over the country. The visit was such a success that Swedish Lodge Göteborg was formed and there are  many Vasa Order of America lodges all over Sweden now.

Vasa Order of America - Sweden

Vasa Park is located along the beautiful Fox River in South Elgin, IL.

Vasa Park is Located in Mount Olive Township NJ.

Vasa Park is located in Triunfo Canyon in Agoura Hills, California.