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From Olle Elm, genealogical researcher and writer, of Lindome, Sweden:

      "When Frans Simon Gustavsson – later Simon Johnsson – together with his siblings left Adelöv parish for the States, they left Sötåsa Norrgård – an ordinary farm which in 1956 was owned by a brother of Simon – Elving Gustavsson. The house [was] built around 1850, by the father of Simon. It is still standing today, as a lot of old buildings in Sweden. Today the house is probably used as a ”summerhouse” for relatives.

 

     "With this letter I will only say: Hope you in the US afford to take care of your history as we try to do. Without a history one has no future. By preserving … a historical house, the society has a history to lean on, when looking into the future."

 

 

From Louise Weedfald Vollmayer of Towaco, NJ

      “My paternal grandmother was also named Lillian… the daughter of Hilder Y. Anderson and Albertina Bjorkander. They emigrated from Sweden in the 19th century...among the thousands of people who came to this country to find a new home.

 

     "Life is fleeting and photos fade, but an edifice, like the Simon Johnson home, can be preserved. Massachusetts is a state that prides itself on its love of history and keeping that history alive. Preserving this home is necessary to keep alive the Swedish heritage that helped shape this nation. The home will be a symbol of the people who worked hard and long to make this country the best country in the world!”

 

 

From Jeanne Rollberg, professor and SweAme board member, of Little Rock, AR,

and David Borg, chairman of Swedish America Heritage Online, of Missouri:

     "As a writer for Sweden & America magazine, it has been with concern that I have learned of the possible demolition of the historic Burlington Prouty-Johnson farmhouse there. Massachusetts has a well-deserved and wonderful reputation as a state that values historic preservation... As you may know, many Swedes entered America in Massachusetts as they set about seeking the American Dream. They gave up the world as they knew it in Sweden because of their faith in America, and their contributions enriched Massachusetts.

 

     "Let’s honor Swedish-American heritage and historic preservation at the same time by preserving this house and others that encourage us to remember, examine, and valorize the past.... My friend and colleague David Borg in Missouri is the chairman of Swedish America Heritage Online, a non-profit organization that documents and preserves Swedish genealogy. He joins with me in this hope because each limb of the Swedish family tree is important to the overall health of the forest.

 

From Cynthia Furman of Virginia:

     "…As an American of Swedish descent, I am very concerned that we could lose this important early example of our forbearers way of life. It's taken me many years and much research to discover [my Swedish grandmother’s] history, since much of it was not known and takes the family back to Sweden. I have not been to Sweden to visit these places yet, but it would be nice to visit Burlington, Massachusetts, and see a Swedish farmhouse built in the time period that my Swedish family was still in Sweden. "

 

 

Letters of support

From Betty Saenz Realtor, Certified Historic House Specialist, and

member of the National Trust for Historic Preservation

    "I support saving the old Simon Johnson farmhouse as a historic structure because it is a cultural icon of times past, a meeting place for Scandinavians for many, many years. If razed, it can never be brought back and will be lost forever. Is that progress?"

From Tommy Hellstrom, Sweden & America, of Karlstad, Sweden

     "As the editor of ”Sweden and America” magazine, I take a vital interest in the artifacts and properties in America that showcase Swedish history.The Simon Johnson farmstead in Burlington was not only Frans Simon Johnson’s and Olga Danielson’s personal home, but the newspapers reported that it was also an important historical meeting place for Scandi- navians as they built their part of the American Dream. By preserving it, we serve both Scandinavians and Americans by keeping their history safe and our hands-across-the-water relationships secure." 

From Susanna Auerbach of Albuquerque, New Mexico:

     "Hej. As a naturalized Swede living and working in America, and loving it, I so appreciate being able to see Swedish history preserved whenever my husband and I travel. It reminds me of how important the Scandinavian contributions to this country have always been. It reminds me of Sweden and all of the Swedish traditions that our ancestors proudly brought to America as they searched for new lives even as they missed the Old Country. “I'm a landscape designer. Seeing old farmhouses like the one in Burlington gives me that 1920s 'landscape picture' of what it was like to be Swedish in America. The old Johnson place has interesting Scandinavian-era architecture, too.  Let's find a way to save it, America."

From Polly Carlisi of California:

     "Growing up in Minnesota, I was surrounded by the people and culture of Sweden. There, I took it for granted because Minnesota was the number one state for Swedish immigration. When I travel to places like Massachusetts and learn of old Swedish farmhouses like this one, it makes me realize how rare they are in other parts of the U.S. And yet Massachusetts had a big Swedish immigrant population. What is left of it?"

From Börje Lundvall of Karlstad, Sweden:

     "What a lovely house in Burlington. I can't understand who would want to tear that down? That ought to be restored instead, to become a living home for someone. And [Simon's] red farm house in Adelov, yes, so many of those houses in Sweden's countryside."

Frank Walter ("Bud") Johnson of Ajo, Arizona:

     "In a pine grove on his farm my Grandfather built a wooden dance floor and erected small service buildings which he rented on weekends to many different social groups and organizations. It was interesting to see and hear the music of all the different people. I am sure there were thousands of people who enjoyed themselves there and had very fond memories. 

 

"I think my Grandfather should be an excellent example of how an immigrant to this country can learn the language, work hard and achieve the American dream.  His home could be an example of that dream and the hard work it took [to] farm in the early days."

From Ingela Dellby of Linkoping, Sweden:

As a Swedish interpreter who has grandchildren in America, I take a special interest in Swedish-American culture. My home in Linkoping, Sweden is only an hour away from Adelov, where Simon Johnson grew up. And I myself live in a home that is 100 years old; in Sweden we value history and the permanence that gives life to communities. Simon took those values to America. He worked the land. He raised his family, and he left a legacy for Burlington. What a shame if his home should be torn down! Put a Swedish farmhouse museum in historic Massachusetts, and restore the house and the property for generations to come."

From Stella Loven, President, SACC NE

"The Swedish American Chamber of Commerce New England enthusiastically supports the preservation of Swedish history in Burlington, Massachusetts at 26 Prouty Road. Historians have documented that for nearly 50 years there, the Swedish Simon Johnson family farmed 35 acres, heled build community through gatherings at Johnson's Grove, and exemplified the immigrant American Dream in which Massachusetts and New England take such pride. Saving the property from demolition and preserving this wonderful historic farmhouse should be a top priority during May, 2014, Preservation Month, and beyond."

From Christina Mealey, Director, Scandinavian Cultural Center in Newton, MA

"I am very aware of the Swedish influence in the state of Massachusetts; the numbers are documented by the 1900 census that showed Massachusetts to be the state with the fourth highest number of Swedes. It is with great enthusiasm that I offer my support to saving a farmhouse that was important to a Swedish family in Burlington, and using it as a site to honor the thousands of Swedish immigrants that called Massachusetts home."

From Dr. S. Allen Counter Jr.,Honorary Consul General of Sweden in Boston and New England

“I wholeheartedly support the preservation of Swedish history in Burlington, Massachusetts at 26 Prouty Road. Historians have documented that for nearly 50 years there, the Swedish Simon Johnson family farmed 35 acres, helped build community through gatherings at Johnson's Grove, and exemplified the immigrant American Dream in which Massachusetts and New England take such pride. Saving the property from demolition and preserving this wonderful Swedish farmhouse should be a top priority during May, 2014, Preservation Month, and beyond.”

 

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