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NATIONAL HISTORIC LANDMARK. At a ceremony in Bishop Hill on April 27, 1984, U.S. Senator Charles Percy announced that Secretary of the Interior, William Clark had approved the designation of Bishop Hill as a NATIONAL HISTORIC LANDMARK. Many prominent persons from Sweden and America participated in the ceremony. The Archive building is located within the historic boundaries. In a survey of original buildings conducted by the U.S. Government, we were mentioned as "a recent building which had carefully embodied the structural pattern of the original buildings."

MICROFILMING OF VASA RECORDS. The microfilming of the records of all Vasa lodges in U.S. and Canada is an especially valuable and pioneering project carried out by the Vasa Order of America. The project is now almost completed. Copies of the films, over 32,000 feet of 35mm film are stored in 500 boxes in a fireproof cabinet in the Archive building. The films will be available in the Archive to lodges and researchers upon request. A microfilm reader is available in the Archive.

THE BUILDING. After a successful fund raising drive, ground breaking took place on Nov. 23, 1973, and construction was begun. On June 5, 1974, the building was dedicated in the presence of many visitors from the US, Canada and Sweden. The building is surrounded by a wide expanse of lawn and huge maple trees. It was designed to harmonize with existing buildings in the village. The dimensions of the original building were 30 ft. by 50 ft.. Recently, a 20 ft. by 30 ft. extension was completed which was designed to blend in to the original building. The Vasa emblem, in color, is mounted above the front door and the American and Swedish flags fly from the front porch.

The main exhibit room is the first to be entered. Portraits relating to the Vasa Order are prominently displayed on the walls: These include an imposing likeness of Gustaf Vasa, donated by the South Side Vasa Club in Chicago, the hand painted original charter of the Vasa Order, and our Swedish Royal Honorary Members (Their Majesties Gustaf V, Gustaf VI AdoIf, Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia). Carl XVI Gustaf received his honorary membership in this room in 1976, a part of his observance of America’s Bi-Centennial . District Lodge Connecticut No. 1 commissioned a fine portrait of Nils Pearson, our first Grand Master. An especially fine stained glass Vasa Emblem donated by friends in memory of Past Grand Master Andrew Wendell graces a window in this room.

Exhibit room No. 2 is at present used to display various paintings and trophies in beautiful cabinets donated by lodges and friends in memory of departed members. Here, large glass enclosed cabinets hold different gifts we have received over the years. Items on display are considered irreplaceable and add to the overall dignity of our Archives. The appointment and honoring of the SWEDISH AMERICAN OF THE YEAR is an annual event sponsored by the Swedish government and the Vasa Order in Sweden. An attractive display of photographs of these honorees enhances the appearance of the room. Some published works by these Swedish-Americans have been donated to our library, as has part of Dr. Albin Widen's collection.

Our main Record room has four racks containing 250 acid proof archival storage boxes. They contain recorded minute books, programs, histories, etc. sent in by individuals and local and district lodges, plus a large amount of Grand lodge material. There is more material out there in Vasa Land. It should be in our archives to add to Vasa history. The metal shelving in this room contains our collection of yearly bound copies of the Vasa Star. Sorry to say, there are several bound copies missing. Anyone owning such bound copies or even early singles of the Vasa Star is urged to contact the Archives.

A large room on the lower level has been named the "District’s Gallery". It’s two purposes are to house special Local and District displays, and, with it’s small kitchen, is a gathering place for groups of visitors.

 The upper level contains our libraries and an exhibit and study room. Bookcases hold many reference books, used by Vasa members and others for research purposes. The Grandfather clock made and donated by Br. Henry Lindquist, Harmony Lodge No. 465, tolls the passing hours. We also house a computer center, where Vasa History is transcribed from microfilm and original sources to a database.

MEMORIAL TRIBUTES. It is customary among Vasa members to honor our departed sisters and brothers. We do this in many ways. We offer our help and sympathies to the survivors. We have memorial services at our District Convention and also in many Local Lodges. Frequently floral tributes are sent. Through the Vasa Order of America Archives, we have the opportunity to create a more lasting memorial. Lodges, members and friends of the departed one can send a cash memorial to the Archive in memory of a deceased person. In the Archive, attractive memorial cards are filed alphabetically in a cabinet donated by Roy Nelson and Bertil Winstrom, and will be preserved forever in memory of a loved one. The person making the donation will receive acknowledgement and the family will receive a memorial card. Any person or organization may convey a memorial. The person so honored need not necessarily be a Vasa member. The donations should be sent to our Archive Financial Secretary and are tax deductible. Our Memorial Cards are most worthwhile and thoughtful. Their use should be encouraged at all times. The Local Lodge Secretaries will be happy to transmit the donations to the Archive Financial Secretary. These memorials are very helpful in perpetuating the activities of our Vasa Archive. From time to time we have a few special items for sale. This income also goes to the upkeep of the building.

BY THEIR FRUITS  By: T. Edward Karlsson
One inestimable accomplishment of the Vasa Order is the creation of its own Archives Building here in this country where the history and accomplishments of the organization is unfolding among present and coming generations of Swedish-American ancestry. These Archives will without the slightest doubt become increasingly aware of the great need and outstanding value of having a central place where research can be made, studies of present and past aspects of the Order can be conducted, and valuable material of every pertinent kind may find a permanent place to stay. The Swedish-American generations born in this country will always feel close and rewarding bonds with "the Old Country" Sweden, but still and all America is the country of their birth and upbringing, and the identification and nearness with their own growth of Swedish-American awareness is immeasurably enhanced by having these Archives right in the middle of their own country. It certainly also is very commendable to have placed these Archives in Bishop Hill, a surrounding of outstanding Swedish-American and nationally recognized historical presence.