In NJ (and eastern Lehigh Valley PA, there are 12 individual lodges of
the Vasa Order of America, comprising NJ District Six. Our recreational and cultural center is at:
Vasa Park, located at Budd Lake, NJ, where many activities of interest to
the surrounding Scandinavian-American community are held.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.
We sponsor Language classes and activities clubs in which Folk dances
are learned and performed in authentic costume. Whenever we can we share our rich heritage with the public
through events such as Skand-Jam, Leif Erickson Smorgasbord and Festival, Lucia Pageant, and Barnen's Dag,
an annual midsummer event at Vasa Park, Budd Lake New Jersey.
For more information on membership in
the Vasa Order of America, and our activities in New Jersey and beyond, explore our Links.(right sidebar)
We are one of 18 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.