Browse Exhibits (1 total)

The Swedish Cabin has survived in part because of its strategic placement on this rock outcrop, in this little valley of Darby Creek. The cabin also survived as an "appurtenance" of the mills that were built across the creek, from the early 18th through early 20th century. During this time, the cabin was likely used as both worker housing and as a mill workshop. After the last mill closed in 1934, the cabin became a residence. In the late 1980's, the cabin earned historic status from the Pennsylvania Historic Museum Commission (PHMC), and was given the mission to operate as a house museum that features the history of the earliest Swedish colonists in the Delaware Valley. Ironically, the original PHMC report does not identify the cabin buiders as New Sweden colonists, and it aserts the cabin was built after 1700.

Further reseach might demonstrate more conclusively that the cabin was built by Forest Finns from Varmland, Sweden who emigrated around 1655 to Darby Creek as part of the colonization of New Sweden. A Forest Finn colonist may have built this rough cabin (by Finnish standards) quickly out of need for shelter, then use this location as an early farm.

The sheltered, well watered yet sunny environment of the little valley that spreads before the cabin suggests a good location for a colonial farm.