We are one of 19 district lodges of the Vasa Order of America, a Fraternal Society originally established for the benefit of Swedish immigrants a century ago, but now dedicated to preserving and sharing our Scandinavian culture and heritage.
District Lodge Pennsylvania #9 covers the wide area of Pennsylvania, Ohio, Maryland, Delaware, Virginia, West Virginia, and Washington, D.C. In this District Lodge, there are 6 individual Local Lodges of the Vasa Order of America. They are (in the order in which they were founded): NOBEL-MONITOR #130 (Ohio), DROTT #168 (Washington, D.C.),
OSCARS BORG #172 (Pennsylvania), SVEA #296 (Pennsylvania), BALDER #308 (Pennsylvania) and HARMONY #465 (Ohio).
The Vasa Order of America was founded over a century ago as a benefit fraternal society for Swedish immigrants to the United States. Benefits included a funeral fund, and assistance during illness. Over the past century, many things have changed, and the Vasa Order has grown to meet the new needs of the Scandinavian American community. Today Vasa provides members a means to share their rich heritage with fellow Americans, and helps them to learn or remember the meaningful ways and values of the "Old Country".
Membership is open to men and women over 14 years of age of Nordic roots, (Swedish, Norwegian, Danish, Finnish or Icelandic,) and their spouses who would like to rediscover the traditions of their forefathers; and those who are not of Nordic ancestry but are committed to the promotion and advancement of Swedish and Nordic heritage and culture.
If you do not wish to apply for membership at this time, but are interested in Nordic culture or heritage, you are most welcome at our open events.
All who are interested in our heritage and culture are welcome at our events
Whenever we can, we share our rich heritage with the public through open events.
For more information on membership in the Vasa Order of America, and our activities in District 9 and beyond, explore our Links (see right sidebar).
