American Swedish Institute

Truly an incredible mansion, and the history throughout was very interesting. The parking lot was pretty full, and Fika (great name for the cafe) was full and had people waiting. By the time we finished our tour, there were plenty of seats available but we didn’t have a chance to eat here but it looked and smelled great. There was an elevator for those wondering about accessibility, and it was still decorated with Christmas items along with the history of how it evolved along with some traditions from other countries. We will go again sometime and plan to bring family members when they visit.

Beautiful home with fine period furnishings. Superb wood work - panelled rooms, elaborate mantles, fanciful staircase. Many fine tile heaters. Great seasonal decorations! An enjoyable coffee shop with Swedish pastries, beer, aquavit... Excellent gift shop with clever items. Easily can occupy two hours. First class.

Incredibly beautiful house from an opulent bygone era. Really enjoyed the holiday craft fair. Wood fires outside and benches with blankets, Scandinavian themed items for sale, live performers and knowledgeable volunteers at every turn telling of the history of the home

What a MAGICAL place! The mansion was decorated for Christmas when I was there. You can walk the whole mansion and basque in the beauty of it. The volunteers are knowledgeable and passionate. There’s a gift shop with cute items. There’s a cafe with some really delicious cookies. Also, outside in the court yard, there was a league of some sort with people playing a game. So much fun!

One of my favorite places in Minneapolis! The mansion and museum are beautiful, especially at Christmas. Each holiday season the mansion is decorated with a different theme, and the museum and artists go all out with amazing decor. The food at the cafe, appropriately named Fika, is always delicious and it’s a fun place to eat. Usually quite busy so get there early and get your seat if you want lunch!

This mansion is absolutely stunning. I’ve never seen woodwork, painted ceilings, and tile stoves like it! Absolutely worth our stop on a Thursday afternoon (it’s free after 3pm). I’m not sure I would pay a full price ticket, but it is a lovely way to spend an hour or so. The staff were very kind - if they are free, ask a couple questions! There isn’t a lot of information about the house itself on the signs so it was very helpful to ask. Lovely parking lot, cafe, shop, and museum set up.

My first time here was in the early 1950s. I was about seven years old. I am 80 now and have been a member for decades. The in house restaurant Fika is a family favorite… especially outdoors. You don’t have to be a member to enjoy it. There is always a temporary display/show in the building and the membership allows free admission as well as the excellent periodical magazine. Some of my favorite art shows I have ever seen anywhere in the world have been right here.

Such a thrill to visit the American Swedish Institute (ASI) yesterday morning in all of its holiday splendor. A local treasure, the original mansion was built by the Turnblad family between 1904 and 1908. It was a labor of love by master craftsman, including exterior stonewotk, interior woodwork and decorative plaster. In 1929, it was donated to become what is now ASI and has created its own legacy as a gathering place and cultural center for the Swedish American community and the City of Minneapolis. Today, the Turnblad Mansion is joined on ASI’s campus by the Nelson Cultural Center, a modern structure completed in 2012 that features expanded gallery, programming and event spaces, a retail gift shop, and the FIKA Café. 🇸🇪 Blessed be. "A concerted effort to preserve our heritage is a vital link to our cultural, educational, aesthetic, inspirational, and economic legacies - all of the things that quite literally make us who we are." ~ Steve Berry