Wilmington in New Castle County, Delaware — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Kalmar Nyckel Monument

1638 - 1938

By Devry Becker Jones, May 31, 2021

1. Kalmar Nyckel Monument

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

The people of Sweden erected this monument to the memory of the first Swedish settlement on American soil and gave it in custody of the State of Delaware.

This monument was dedicated June 27th 1938 in the presence of the President of the United States and the Crown Prince of Sweden.

[Swedish inscription on the marker:]
Sveriges folk reste denna vård till minnet av den första Svenska bebyggelsen på Amerikas jord och ställde den under Staten Delawares skydd.

Detta monument avtäcktes den 27 Juni 1938 i Närvaro av Förenta Staternas President och Sveriges kronprins.

[Various engravings on the monument:]
Christina 1632 - 1654

Governor and Judge Johan Printz 1643 - 1653

William Penn welcomed by the Swedes

And thus the Swedish colonists established civilization in the Delaware Valley.

Erected 1938 by The People of Sweden.

Topics. This historical marker monument is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Exploration • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1638.

Location.

Kalmar Nyckel Monument [The English inscription] image. Click for full size.

By Devry Becker Jones, May 31, 2021

2. Kalmar Nyckel Monument [The English inscription]

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39° 44.197′ N, 75° 32.316′ W. Marker is in Wilmington, Delaware, in New Castle County. Marker is on East 7th Street just east of Swedes Landing Road, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1110 E 7th St, Wilmington DE 19801, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Landing of the Swedes (a few steps from this marker); The Monument (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); a different marker also named The Monument (about 400 feet away); The Park (about 500 feet away); Fort Christina Monument (about 500 feet away); Fort Christina (about 500 feet away); Fort Christina National Historic Landmark (about 600 feet away); Old Swedes' Church (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Wilmington.

Additional commentary.
1. And thus the Swedish colonists established civilization in the Delaware Valley.
This inscription is heavily biased considering that the Delaware Valley was already inhabited by the Lenape.

— Submitted June 1, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.

Kalmar Nyckel Monument [The Swedish inscription] image. Click for full size.

By Devry Becker Jones, May 31, 2021

3. Kalmar Nyckel Monument [The Swedish inscription]

By Devry Becker Jones, May 31, 2021

4. Kalmar Nyckel Monument

By Devry Becker Jones, May 31, 2021

5. Kalmar Nyckel Monument

By Devry Becker Jones, May 31, 2021

6. Kalmar Nyckel Monument

Credits. This page was last revised on June 1, 2021. It was originally submitted on June 1, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 25 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on June 1, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.