By TINA GOODWIN
LINDSBORG – A celebration honoring the legacy of an early woman leader in Lindsborg will be a part of the community’s Svensk Hyllningsfest on Oct. 8.
The dedication of the Alma Lind Swensson Memorial Garden is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Oct. 8 in Swensson Park.
The dedication will also unveil the centerpiece of the garden, a larger than life-size sculpture of Alma Swensson, created by Lindsborg artist Michaela Valli-Groeblacher.
Lindy Nelson, a local designer, created the garden’s landscape design. The project is the vision of a committee consisting of Becky Anderson, Karen Humphrey, Leah Ann Anderson, Linda Branch, Linda Lewis, Pamela Ash, Rebecca Van Der Wege, Ron Michael, Gary Shogren, Nelson, and Valli-Groeblacher.
“It’s been my dream for a long time to have something in our community to recognize Alma Swensson,” Becky Anderson said. “Michaela’s sculpture is amazing and Lindy’s landscape design is the perfect setting for the garden. One hundred years from now I want people to know who Alma Swensson was and be inspired by her.”
Swensson is a well-known figure in Lindsborg history. She began the community’s long-standing tradition of performing Handel’s Messiah as a way to help Swedish immigrants learn English and was instrumental in the growth of the community. She established the Messiah oratorio chorus in 1881, which continues to perform today, and co-founded the Augustana Women’s Missionary Society in 1882. As the wife of Carl Aaron Swensson, pastor of Bethany Lutheran Church and president of Bethany College, she worked alongside her husband during the college and community’s formation.
Becky Anderson said she hopes that the garden will draw attention to Alma Swensson's love of music, devotion to church, community, and college, and her unflagging service.
“I hope the garden can be a place where people will visit and reflect on her life and be inspired by her example,” Becky Anderson said.
Valli-Groeblacher’s design depicts Alma Swensson pouring out a pitcher to symbolize her giving nature. Additionally, music from The Messiah decorates a scarf wrapped around her arms. The garden replaces a pond built on the foundation of where the Swensson house once stood and is now part of the city’s park.
“A piece like this is for the community rather than for the artist,” Valli-Groeblacher explained. “So it is important that it is uplifting and a piece that recognizes the importance of a person whose contributions go way beyond her own lifetime. I wanted people to see how strong of a woman she was.”
While the garden and sculpture uniquely depict an important part of Lindsborg’s history, the project is also unique in that it is among the very few sculptures of women on display in public parks nationwide, according to Jordan Jerkovich, Lindsborg community development director. According to an article published by Smithsonian Magazine, only about 13 percent of the statues depicting historic figures on display in public places throughout the United States are monuments of women.
“The Alma Lind Swensson Memorial Garden represents an opportunity to honor the life and legacy of Alma Swensson, whose essential contributions to the community continue to impact the lives of so many citizens, students, and visitors today,” Jerkovich said. “She also represents the many women throughout Lindsborg history whose contributions helped build the community. The memorial garden will provide new educational and recreational opportunities for visitors of Swensson Park while honoring the important legacy of women in Lindsborg.”
Landscaping of the garden will continue throughout the fall and next spring, according to Nelson. Plans are for paths and plantings as well as a decorative iron gateway, benches, and lighting. Donations to support continued work on the garden can be made to the McPherson County Community Foundation.