A Major Milestone

After months of construction, one of the American Swedish Institute’s most dynamic and welcoming spaces is once again open to the public. Since it was first constructed in 1983, generations of visitors have come together in Paulson Hall on the Lower Level of the Turnblad Mansion to enjoy a vast array of classes, events, and celebrations. Thanks to community support, this versatile space has undergone an impressive transformation to serve the growing needs of the ASI community.

From workshop participants to ASI club members, visitors of all ages and students, everyone who gathers in Paulson Hall will now benefit from a more flexible and functional space. Participants in Nordic Table classes will immediately notice the transformed kitchen. Tour groups, visiting families, and ASI’s clubs like the Men’s Chorus and Twin Cities Swedish Folk Dancers now have a bright, modern, and more accessible space in which to gather. Language students of all ages now benefit from increased space and new technology to facilitate learning. As intended when the project began, the many updates ensure that the space can continue to serve the evolving needs of these and other groups who may use the space in the future.

For long-time ASI member and donor, Lisa Paulson, this space has long been a home away from home for her and her family. For years, Lisa and her family

This pictorial history of the emigration of Swedes to America and their settlement in Minnesota by artist Bengt Engman wraps around the entire Paulson Hall along the ceiling. The mural is undergoing a full restoration skillfully performed by the Midwest Art Conservation Center and will be back on view in Paulson Hall soon.

“Our love for the American Swedish Institute is great, and we are so proud to have many Life Members in our family. Sharing our Swedish heritage with family, friends and other visitors to the mansion is a great blessing.” have gathered each year in Paulson Hall to celebrate the holidays. John and Norma Paulson provided transformational support to ASI over the course of their lives. The room was officially dedicated to Lisa’s family in 2011 in honor of her father’s four Swedish grandparents, Petronella and Mons Paulson, and Ellen and Herman Olson.

With remodeling complete, there has never been a better time to take a Nordic Table class at ASI. Better sight lines, improved lighting and acoustics, and better workstations offer an enhanced experience for all in-person participants.

Virtual program participants will benefit from significantly improved A/V capabilities. Looking ahead, ASI will offer increasingly diverse types of inperson food programs including more hands-on workshops, intergenerational classes, and intercultural experiences. Watch for more hands-on baking classes—something the ASI community has been asking for.

Through all these changes, one important aspect of Nordic Table cherished by participants will remain the same: low student- to-instructor ratios. A signature of the program, small class sizes allow for each attendee to engage directly with the instructor and benefit from valuable one-on-one attention and guided learning.

Paulson Hall has remained one of the many beloved spaces at in the Turnblad Mansion thanks to ASI’s dedicated and generous members and donors. Today the space looks better than ever, with more opportunities for all visitors to gather, engage, and connect than ever before.

ASI gives tremendous thanks to all of those in the community who have offered support and contributed to the on-going Stories, Stonework & Stewardship Captial Campaign to restore and maintain the iconic Turnblad Mansion and all the special spaces within in it. To make a gift today, and help ASI continue this important work, visit asimn.org/ support/mansionproject.